The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation
Radon exposure is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers, highlighting the need for effective mitigation measures in enclosed spaces by improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thus ensuring more sustainable buildings. The Euratom Directive, a key...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/618 |
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| author | Leonel J. R. Nunes António Curado |
| author_facet | Leonel J. R. Nunes António Curado |
| author_sort | Leonel J. R. Nunes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Radon exposure is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers, highlighting the need for effective mitigation measures in enclosed spaces by improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thus ensuring more sustainable buildings. The Euratom Directive, a key piece of EU legislation, sets standards for the protection of workers and the general public from ionizing radiation throughout Europe. It requires member states to implement safety measures, set exposure limits, monitor radon levels, and develop emergency plans and mitigation strategies for nuclear accidents and radiation incidents. The directive also sets reference and action levels for indoor radon. The aim of this article is to analyze the legislation on indoor radon exposure in European countries and to evaluate the impact of the directive on the standardization of the action and intervention levels. By conducting a comprehensive legislative review, this study will compare the action levels, assess the directive’s ability to harmonize the regulations, and identify legislative trends and developments. In addition, it will examine the factors contributing to the discrepancies between countries and highlight areas for improvement to ensure adequate protection against the risks of radon exposure and thereby increase the sustainability of buildings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e77aba51cc3b4e47809bdd1560c7b9a0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-e77aba51cc3b4e47809bdd1560c7b9a02025-08-20T03:12:20ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-02-0115461810.3390/buildings15040618The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European LegislationLeonel J. R. Nunes0António Curado1proMetheus, Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente para a Sustentabilidade, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalproMetheus, Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente para a Sustentabilidade, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalRadon exposure is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers, highlighting the need for effective mitigation measures in enclosed spaces by improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thus ensuring more sustainable buildings. The Euratom Directive, a key piece of EU legislation, sets standards for the protection of workers and the general public from ionizing radiation throughout Europe. It requires member states to implement safety measures, set exposure limits, monitor radon levels, and develop emergency plans and mitigation strategies for nuclear accidents and radiation incidents. The directive also sets reference and action levels for indoor radon. The aim of this article is to analyze the legislation on indoor radon exposure in European countries and to evaluate the impact of the directive on the standardization of the action and intervention levels. By conducting a comprehensive legislative review, this study will compare the action levels, assess the directive’s ability to harmonize the regulations, and identify legislative trends and developments. In addition, it will examine the factors contributing to the discrepancies between countries and highlight areas for improvement to ensure adequate protection against the risks of radon exposure and thereby increase the sustainability of buildings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/618radon exposureEuratom Directiveionizing radiation protectionsustainability of buildings |
| spellingShingle | Leonel J. R. Nunes António Curado The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation Buildings radon exposure Euratom Directive ionizing radiation protection sustainability of buildings |
| title | The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation |
| title_full | The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation |
| title_fullStr | The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation |
| title_short | The Harmonization of Radon Exposure Mitigation for the Sustainability of Buildings: Assessing the Impact of the EURATOM Directive on European Legislation |
| title_sort | harmonization of radon exposure mitigation for the sustainability of buildings assessing the impact of the euratom directive on european legislation |
| topic | radon exposure Euratom Directive ionizing radiation protection sustainability of buildings |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/4/618 |
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