Protection from radon - ISS (EN)
TOPIC
Radiation protection
Radon is a noble radioactive gas, odorless and colorless, produced by the radioactive decay of radium.
Radon is present in different quantities in the indoor air of all buildings and mainly comes from the soil and, to a lesser extent, from the building's building materials.
Many epidemiological studies have found that continuous exposure to radon increases the risk of getting lung cancer. The extent of the risk depends on the radon concentration and the duration of exposure. With the same exposure to radon, smokers are more at risk than non-smokers. In Italy, exposure to radon is responsible (according to estimates by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) of over 3000 cases of lung cancer every year.
Since 2005, the ISS has coordinated the Italian Radon National Plan (promoted in 2002 by the Ministry of Health) and manages the National Radon Archive.
More information on radon and on the complex of activities carried out in Italy (by regional and national bodies) to reduce the health risk associated with exposure of the population are available on the dedicated website: The radon and the National Radon Plan - PNR (link to the Italian website).
