As part of the online Pre-RICOMET conference, which took place from 1^st to 3^rd of September 2020, the RadoNorm project co-organised three webinars devoted to different aspects of radon and NORM linked to the societal aspects. The webinars were attended by 290 participants and the records are available on https://www.ssh-share.eu/. The panellists presented their views on addressed topics, after there were moderated discussions to address the questions of the audience.

1. Radon Air Pollution: Communication and protective behaviour

Webinar co-organised by ERA, IAEA, RadoNorm and SHARE

Wednesday, 2nd of September 2020 from 10.00 – 11.30

With a new legislation, radon risk communication has become a priority in many countries in order to mitigate the second most prevalent cause of lung cancer worldwide. However, the efforts to communicate the risks of radon often remain ineffective. Although radon tests are easily accessible in most countries, with the possibility of effective protective action, the levels of radon testing and subsequent home remediation remain lower than aimed for. The webinar aimed to help practitioners responsible for radon communication strategies to develop evidence-based, theory-based and strategic communication according to the new EU Basic Safety Standard Directive.

Panellists:

• Laura Mezquita (Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, EORTC)
• Frederic E. Bouder (University of Stavanger)
• Olga German (IAEA)
• Tanja Perko (SCK CEN)
• Heidi Vandebosch (University of Antwerp)
• James McLaughlin (University College of Dublin, ERA)

Moderator: Klara Himmelbauer (AGES and ERA)

2. Societal aspects and marketing challenges of naturally occurring radioactive materials in building products

Webinar co-organised by SHARE, ENA and RadoNorm

Wednesday, 2nd September 2020 from 12.30 –14.00

The webinar focused at the largely uncharted terrain of marketing, socio-psychological, legal, and ethical issues connected to naturally occurring radioactive materials in building products. Opportunities for re-using by-products from specific industries (e.g. phosphate or aluminium industries) in building materials have been recognized and explored. Such re-use could contribute to an increasing sustainability in the building sector, as it reduces the exploitation of natural resources and diminishes theCO2 footprint related to more conventional construction materials. At the same time, however, some of these by-products can contain enhanced concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides, thus offering a potential concern from a radiation protection point of view. While the technical, chemical, and radiological properties of the re-used by-products have been studied, and legal frameworks have been developed, their societal aspects and marketing challenges have remained largely unaddressed.

Panellists:

• Wouter Schroeyers (Hasselt University)
• Rob Wiegers (IBR Consult, ENA)
• Britt-Marie Drottz-Sjöberg (University of Science and Technology)
• Kelly Jones (Public Health England)
• Miguel Ángel Sanjuán (Institute of Cement and its Applications, Polytechnic University of Madrid)
• Gaston Meskens (SCK CEN, Ghent University)

Moderator: Robbe Geysmans (SCK CEN)

3. Investigating the potential of citizen science for effective radon measurement and mitigation

Webinar co-organised by SHARE, RadoNorm and IAEA

Wednesday 2^nd September 2020 from 15:00 – 17:00

The consultation aimed to share experience on the existing and emerging citizen science initiatives on radon measurements. As part of the H2020 RadoNorm we would like to explore what is the potential for citizen science to support effective radon measurement and most importantly, mitigation actions. Therefore, an overview of different forms of citizen science were presented and some definition of citizen science were given. Lessons learned from activities in Belgium, Ireland, Israel, Canada and France were discussed. Possibilities and limitations of citizen science related to radon measurements and mitigation were pointed out (e.g.  cultural differences, GDPR, level of public engagement, …). 

Panellists:

• Muki Haklay (UCL, ECSA) 
• Camille Allonsius (University of Antwerp)
• Stephanie Long (Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland)
• Konstantin Kovler (Technion) 
• Aaron Goodarzi (University of Calgary) 
• Bernard Collignan (CSTB) 
• José Luis Gutiérrez Villanueva (ERA)
• Mandy Birschwilks (RadoNorm project, BfS)
• Olga German (IAEA) 

Moderator: Meritxell Martell (Merience and SHARE Secretary)