Open Access
Table 1
ENGAGE knowledge base: exposure to indoor radon case study.
| Provider of information | |
| Organisation | Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland |
| Name (optional) | Fabio Barazza |
| E-mail or other contact details | fabio.barazza@bag.admin.ch |
| General description | |
| Title | Actions undertaken in the framework of the implementation of the radon national action plan 2012–2020 |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Exposure situation | □ Medical exposure X Exposure to indoor radon □ Emergency and post-accident □ Other |
| Objective of the participatory practice | Main goals are the promotion of protective measures against radon in buildings, planning an efficiency strategy for remediation, including radon in the training of construction experts and improving public awareness to health problems caused by radon |
| Broader context | Switzerland is strongly affected by the radon problem. It is clear that besides a legal framework, additional actions are needed and therefore a national action plan was developed All actions in the context of the radon problem are based on corresponding regulations included in the ordinance on radiation protection since 1994 It is planned to introduce a new action plan in 2021 |
| Organisation | The Swiss national radon action plan was developed, implemented and funded by the Federal Office of Public Health |
| Participants | |
| Opportunities for participation | Most important partners for the implementation of the action plan were the local authorities (cantons). In addition, many universities, in particular of applied sciences, as well as other federal organizations were involved. Overall, there was a strong willingness to participate and participation was open to all interested parties |
| Motivations for participating | All-important partners for the implementation of the action plan were motivated to participate |
| Process | |
| Participation forms and methods | Conferences Workshops Information campaigns Training courses |
| Process evaluation | The process has not been evaluated |
| Flexibility | The main goals of the action plan were defined in collaboration with the local authorities (cantons). They were our most important partners. The aims were not adapted during the process |
| Ethical considerations | Ethical aspects such as transparency, equality, fairness, and collaboration are considered in all activities of the Federal Office of Public Health |
| Ex-post assessment | |
| Actual outcomes | The main outcome is a new legal framework for the protection against radon laid out in the revised ordinance on radiation protection. In addition, new measurements protocols, training courses for radon experts, and teaching material for the formation of different professional within the construction sector were introduced. The role and duties of recognized measuring services were clarified. The radon map and the radon database were developed further |
| Outcome evaluation | The outcomes of the action plan have been evaluated by an external evaluator. The corresponding recommendations constitute an important input for the development of the future strategy concerning the protection against radon |
| Key strengths | The participation and involvement of all relevant partners in the process of improving the protection against radon |
| Challenges | The public and many members of the construction sector such as architects and other construction experts could not always be convinced that the radon problem is important. |
| Feedback | All activities and outcomes of the action plan have been published and made available |
| Practical information | |
| Timeline of event (including preparation and planning) | The action plan is in progress from 2012 to 2020. The revised ordinance took effect in 2018 |
| Facilities used | No special facilities were used |
| Financial resources | The financial resources used were justified in view of the achieved results |
| Human resources | Cannot be quantified |
| Additional information and relevant documents, sources | |
| Detailed information | www.ch-radon.ch |
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