Chapter 3. Radon and citizen science

M. MARTELL, T. PERKO, S. ANDRESZ, C. SCHIEBER, Y. TOMKIV, A. DOWDALL, L. MCKITTRICK, V. OLÁHNÉ GROMA

Communicating Public Health Risk: The Case of Radon Gas

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the value-action gap between radon awareness and actually conducting a radon test or applying mitigation actions. Citizen science, an approach by which the public works together with radon experts during the research process, might help to increase not only knowledge but also protective actions. This chapter explores the extent to which citizen science can contribute to increasing radon testing and mitigation rates through the analysis of four pilot citizen science projects in the framework of the Horizon 2020 RadoNorm European research project (2020–2025). The citizen science pilot projects were accomplished in France, Hungary, Ireland and Norway in a period of six months during the years 2021 to 2022. The results show that citizen science holds promise for promoting radon testing and radon mitigation. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the potential of citizen science in radon management as a means to reduce lung cancer risk.

Chapter 3. Radon and citizen science, in “Communicating Public Health Risk: The Case of Radon Gas”

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