Public buildings in Saxony, including schools and daycare centers, are affected by radon contamination. A newly introduced funding program is intended to support the remediation process.
Over the past six years, radiation measurements in public buildings throughout Saxony have revealed numerous cases of radon levels that require protective measures for residents. In response to a question from the AfD parliamentary group, Environment Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens) recently provided an up-to-date overview.
According to the report, 243 of the buildings examined showed radon-222 activity concentrations of over 300 becquerels per cubic meter of air in individual measurements. Furthermore, in 145 of these buildings, the annual average of measurements taken over the year exceeded this limit. The affected rooms include administrative buildings, courts, tax offices, police stations, educational institutions and even the state chancellery in Dresden, the official seat of the state government of Saxony.
Measurements were also carried out in schools and daycare centers. In 32 nurseries and kindergartens throughout Saxony, an average annual exposure of well over 300 becquerels was recorded. In schools, no less than 114 facilities throughout the state reported such high annual values.
A reference value above 300 becquerels is not a strict limit value that prohibits the use of radon-contaminated rooms. Instead, it serves as a guideline value that indicates when those responsible for these rooms or workplaces should consider measures to reduce radiation exposure. Such measures include targeted ventilation strategies, floor remediation, the installation of ventilation filters, surface sealing or systems for extracting radon from the environment. If the reference value is still exceeded after these measures, the affected rooms must be reported to the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, the responsible radiation protection authority, for further investigation.
Radon itself is a radioactive noble gas. It is difficult to detect as it is invisible, odorless and tasteless. According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, it is one of the main causes of lung cancer after smoking.
Just a few days ago, the state government of Saxony launched a new funding program to support necessary protection and renovation measures. Municipalities, municipal companies, non-profit organizations, recognized religious communities and small and medium-sized enterprises can receive up to 60,000 euros through this initiative.
Source: Saxon newspaper
Photo: Adobe Stock (103598097)
