Tanja Perko (SCK CEN) and WP6 Team

Before promoting radon protection behaviours, we must first understand what information needs to be conveyed to effectively influence people’s actions. Additionally, it is essential to investigate the baseline—what people already know, do, and feel about radon. Without a theory-based and methodologically correct approach, efforts may lead to misguided priorities in radon mitigation interventions and ineffective communication strategies, ultimately resulting in low compliance with testing and mitigation in private homes.

The RadoNorm European Radon Behavioural Atlas, an open database and open results, represents the largest (N > 17,000) and most comprehensive study (average duration 17 minutes, >250 items) on people’s behaviour, attitudes, and awareness related to radon. Conducted between 2021-2024, it encompasses representative populations across Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and specific regions such as Wallonia in Belgium and Galicia in Spain. The data were collected with the support and collaboration of national authorities responsible for radon action plans in each of the participating countries. This presentation will, for the first time, compare the results across the investigated countries and regions. Where possible, it will contrast the findings between residents in radon priority areas and those not exposed to radon, who are consequently not the primary target of communication interventions. Using scales that measure a wide range of theory-based socio-psychological concepts influencing protective behaviour against radon risk, this study provides researchers, authorities, and practitioners with a valuable and versatile survey tool. It explores the complexity of human behaviour in the context of radon, offering a foundation for assessing gaps and strategies to increase home testing and remediation.