Radon awareness in the provincial capital Lahore of Punjab province of Pakistan

Abstract

In order to assess the degree of radon awareness in the general public in the provincial capital Lahore of Punjab province of Pakistan, a survey was conducted in all nine municipal towns of Lahore city. In this regard, volunteers from three Universities and six Colleges were deputed to collect data from hospitals, educational institutes, business points, markets, residential areas, public offices and private sector organisations. About 400 un-educated and educated persons of various educational background from each municipal town participated in this survey and their responses were recorded on the questionnaire prepared for this purpose. In this way, a total of 3600 persons participated in this survey. Results of this survey imply that on average, only 30.9% participants were scientifically aware of radon. These results suggest that a nationwide mass media campaign may be launched by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Provincial Environment Protection Agency and Community Development Department to educate the general public in this respect at the union council level about hazards of radon to avoid its harmful effects.

A review of radon measurement studies in Pakistan

“…According to them, the radon awareness level is only 30% among the general public of Pakistan. In another study conducted by Tahir and Alaamer (2007), the radon awareness level is only 30.9% in the city of Lahore.…”