Radon Risk Communication in Bulgaria

Makedonska, Galina; Djounova, Jana; Ivanova, Kremena

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncy096

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Lifestyle is different, too. Adults in urban areas spend about 93.75% of their time indoors, either working, studying, playing, or maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, mainly in the long winter season in the Nordic countries, whereas an increased mobility experienced in summertime decreases the extent of exposure [17].…”

Section: The Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Strategy for the Assessment of Radon Risk Based on Indicators

Mancini

Vilnītis

Guida

2021

IJERPH

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Among the physical pollutants affecting indoor air, the radioactive gas radon may turn out to be the most hazardous. Health effects related to radon exposure have been investigated for several decades, providing major scientific evidence to conclude that chronic exposures can cause lung cancer. Additionally, an association with other diseases, such as leukemia and cancers of the extra-thoracic airways, has been advanced. The implementation of a strategy to reduce the exposure of the population and minimize the health risk, according to the European Directive 59/2013/Euratom on ionizing radiations, is a new challenge in public health management. Starting from an understanding of the general state-of-the-art, a critical analysis of existing approaches has been conducted, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Then, a strategy for assessing the radon exposure of the general population, in a new comprehensive way, is proposed. It identifies three main areas of intervention and provides a list of hazard indicators and operative solutions to control human exposure. The strategy has been conceived to provide a supporting tool to authorities in the introduction of effective measures to assess population health risks due to radon exposure.

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Section: The Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Strategy for the Assessment of Radon Risk Based on Indicators

Mancini

Vilnītis

Guida

2021

IJERPH

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“…There are no systematic studies in Bulgaria on radon risk perception, but there is radiophobia related to previous incidents and poor communication. Epidemiological studies in Bulgaria have provided convincing evidence of an association between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer even at the relatively low radon levels commonly found in residential buildings [13].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A questionnaire was initiated within the framework of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project RER9153 "Enhancing the Regional Capacity to Control Long-Term Risks to the Public due to Radon in Dwellings and Workplaces". This survey questionnaire contains several sets of questions that serve as input for the understanding and evaluation of attitudes toward radon risk in different age groups of the public [11,13]. The problem of low public awareness of radon and the health risk it poses is still typical for many countries where economic incomes are low for a substantial part of the population like Albania [6,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results of Albania Public Opinion Survey on Radon Risk Perception

Tushe¹,

Prifti²,

Shano³

et al. 2022

RAP Conference Proceedings

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This study provides information about the population's general health, the risk perception due to radon exposure, and the socio-demographic characteristics of the target age groups through a survey in which participated 152 people. The questionnaire was part of the Public Opinion Survey (STEAM project) in the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation project RER9153: Enhancing the Regional Capacity to Control Long-Term Risks to the Public due to Radon in Dwellings and Workplaces. This survey includes 152 respondents who took part in an Internet through email and WhatsApp application questionnaire conducted from October 2020 to March 2021 in Albania. The purpose of the questionnaire was to investigate what attitudes people had toward their health and toward radon as a possible health risk factor. The results of this survey which was the first social survey focusing on the radon problem and conducted throughout the country can be used as a basis for planning communication strategies and national radon programs. The survey revealed that in Albania people were poorly aware of radon risk perception on their health. Random sampling error did not exceed 5% for the 95% confidence interval calculated according to the sample size based on the desired accuracy with a 95% confidence level.

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“…Bulgaria has developed a Radon Risk Communication under the National Radon Program using survey through the Internet for assessing public perceptions and the level of knowledge of radon and then using media as publications on websites, magazines, TV interviews and radio and local seminars to inform public [18]. Public communication campaigns may provide information packages explaining radon health risk and the importance of radon measurements in housings, and may let public give any feedback about radon testing and mitigation in their housings.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%