Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas. It rises from the soil and collects in buildings. Enhanced radon concentration can increase the risk of getting lung cancer. Here you will find information about how you can reduce the exposure by taking simple measures.
Man has always been exposed to radiation from natural sources. External radiation exposure is due to cosmic radiation and radiation from natural radioactive substances in soils and rocks (terrestrial radiation). Radon accounts for about 40 per cent of the total annual exposure of the general public to natural sources of radiation. The leaflet "Radon – Hauptursache der natürlichen Strahlenexposition" (in German) informs on this issue (full text in German only).
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Rocks and soils used for building purposes may give rise to radiation exposure of the public due to radionuclides contained in, or released from these materials. The radionuclides from the radioactive decay chains of uranium-238 and thorium-232 as well as of potassium-40 are of particular importance. To protect the public from radiation exposures, studies and evaluations of radioactive substances in building materials have been conducted for more than 20 years in Germany (full text in German only).
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In the eyes of the public, hazards from ionizing radiation are primarily associated with causes such as nuclear accidents or nuclear weapons tests most of the time. However, public awareness most often lacks consideration of substantial health effects that might be caused by natural radioactive gases finding their way into dwellings from the subsoil. The leaflet "Strahlenthemen: Radon in Häusern" (in German) provides information on this topic (full text in German only).
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Radon will find its way from the geological subsoil into buildings if there are leaks in building areas in contact with soil. The annual mean of radon concentration in dwellings averages 50 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m3) in Germany. Increased radon concentrations in dwellings are more frequent in areas exhibiting enhanced radon concentration in the soil air and good transport pathways for radon. The leaflet (in German) furnishes information on measures to reduce the radon concentration in buildings (full text in German only).
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