Radon is a radioactive noble gas and is produced by the radioactive decay of uranium in rocks and soil. Radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless. The noble gas can enter buildings with the soil air. Outdoors, radon is harmless to health, whereas it can accumulate in buildings and pose a health risk. Radon is one of the most common causes of lung cancer after smoking!
You can find more information on radon at
Legal regulations for health protection against radon
The Radiation Protection Act 2020 (StrSchG 2020) and the Radon Protection Ordinance (RnV) are the legal basis for protection against radon in homes and workplaces. The national radon action plan serves to implement radon protection. Further information can be found under Legal information.
The following topics in particular are the responsibility of the state and municipal authorities:
- Radon protection in buildings
- Radon protection in the workplace
- Information and education
Radon protection for buildings
New buildings - Building Technology Ordinance
According to the building technology ordinances of the federal states, new buildings in radon precautionary areas must be planned in such a way that the radon concentration is below the reference value of 300 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³). This must be checked by the building authorities when approving construction projects.
Further information on structural radon precautionary measures can be found here.
Existing buildings
If the radon concentration in a building is above the reference value of 300 Bq/m³, this can be remedied by proven remediation measures on the building.
Details on radon remediation measures can be found here.
General refurbishments offer a good opportunity to reduce indoor radon concentrations cost-effectively, see General refurbishments and thermal refurbishments.
Radon protection in the workplace
In order to reduce the health risk posed by radon in the workplace in Austria, employers are obliged by the Radiation Protection Act in conjunction with the Radon Protection Ordinance to measure the radon concentration at certain workplaces. If the radon concentration at the workplace is above the reference value of 300 Bq/m³, protective measures must be taken for employees.
The offices of the provincial governments are the authorities responsible for radon protection in the workplace.
Note
The federal government, provinces, municipalities and other regional authorities are also obliged to arrange for radon measurements in their own facilities, such as in official buildings, schools, kindergartens, etc. in radon protection areas or, for example, in water supply systems throughout Austria.
Further information on radon protection in the workplace can be found here.
Information and education
The prerequisite for a successful radon protection program is information and education of the population and employers. The level of information is currently low; according to a 2020 opinion poll(Radon Risk Barometer), only around 15% of the population know about radon.
There are many opportunities for municipalities and provinces to increase the level of knowledge:
- Information on radon protection on the homepage, in social media, in their own media (for example in the municipal newspaper)
- Information events
- Radon advice in municipal or provincial offices with the support of the Radon Department (radon stand with interactive radon house, brochures, posters, beach flags, etc.)
The Radon Information Center has many years of experience in information work, is happy to provide support with planning and implementation and offers a range of information materials, see Events and information materials!