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What is the spatial distribution of radon in Germany?

A map of Germany Outline of Germany

In Germany, there are regional differences in the amount of radon in the soil, in the air and indoors. In the North German Plain, radon concentrations are mostly low; in most low mountain ranges, in the Alpine foreland and in regions with moraines of rock from the last ice age they are rather high.

The BfS provides maps on the regional distribution of radon in soil, indoors and outdoors.

No information about single buildings or plots can be derived from the forecast maps.

Map: Radon activity concentration in the soil air. How high the radon concentration actually is in a building at a certain location cannot be read from the map. Only a measurement can determine this. Read more: www.bfs.de/radon-messen

Radon in the soil air in Germany

In Germany, radon concentrations in the soil vary regionally. BfS prognosis maps show in a coarse grid the regional distribution of radon in the soil. Statements on single buildings or building plots require individual examinations.

Map of radon concentrations in the ground-level atmosphere in Germany.

Radon outdoors in Germany

Outdoors, radon mixes quickly with the surrounding air. At breathing height, radon occurs only in low concentrations in Germany. The concentration is lower in the north of Germany than in the south. A map shows the regional distribution of radon outdoors (at breathing height).

The map does not provide any information about single buildings. What indoor radon concentrations actually occur in buildings, can only be clarified by measurements.

Radon in dwellings in Germany

Due to the fact that radon-containing soil air enters buildings from the subsoil, radon occurs everywhere indoors. A map shows the average radon concentration which people are exposed to in dwellings in Germany. The map does not provide any information about single buildings. What indoor radon concentrations actually occur in buildings, can only be clarified by measurements.

The map shows the status of the designation of radon precautionary areas in the individual federal states as of 15 June 2021. (Picture has long description)

Radon precautionary areas in Germany

In radon precautionary areas, increased requirements for protection against radon apply. Radon Radoprecautionary areas are determined by the federal states. As a service, the BfS has compiled an overview of all radon precautionary areas in Germany from the specifications of the individual federal states. The BfS map provides no guarantee; only the area designations and information provided by the federal states are legally authoritative.

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