The International Radon Project (IRP)
Exposure to radon in the home and workplace is one of the main risks of ionizing radiation causing tens of thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year globally. In order to reduce this burden it is important that national authorities have methods and tools based on solid scientific evidence and sound public health policy. The public needs to be aware of radon risks and the means to reduce and prevent these.
In 1996 WHO published a report containing several conclusions and recommendations covering the scientific understanding of radon risk and the need for countries to take action in the areas of risk management and risk communication.
Recent findings from case-control studies on lung cancer and exposure to radon in homes completed in many countries allow for substantial improvement in risk estimates and for further consolidation of knowledge by pooling data from these studies. The consistency of the findings from the latest pooled analyses of case-control studies from Europe and North America as well as China provides a strong argument for an international initiative to reduce indoor radon risks.
To fulfill these goals, WHO has developed a program on public health aspects of radon exposure. This project enjoys high priority with WHO´s Department of Public Health and Environment. The key elements of the International Radon Project include:
To achieve these aims WHO has formed a network of key partner agencies from over 40 Member States. This network is the basis for the WHO International Radon Project which was launched in 2005. Working groups collect and analyse information on radon risk, radon policies, radon mitigation and prevention as well as radon risk communication.
WHO handbook on indoor radon - a public health perspective
The WHO handbook on indoor radon is a key product of the WHO International Radon Project, which as launched in 2005. The handbook book focuses on residential radon exposure from a public health point of view and provides detailed recommendations on reducing health risks from radon and sound policy options for preventing and mitigating radon exposure.
The material in the handbook reflects the epidemiological evidence that indoor radon exposure is responsible for a substantial number of lung cancers in the general population.
The material is organized into six chapters, each introduced by key messages. Usually, technical terms are defined the first time they are used, and a glossary is also included. Information is provided on the selection of devices to measure radon levels and on procedures for the reliable measurement of these levels. Discussed also are control options for radon in new dwellings, radon reduction in existing dwellings as well as assessment of the costs and benefits of different radon prevention and remedial actions. Also covered are radon risk communication strategies and organization of national radon programmes.
This publication is intended for countries planning to develop their national radon programmes or extend such activities, as well as for stakeholders involved in radon control such as the construction industry and building professionals.
The overall goal of this handbook is to provide an up-to-date overview of the major aspects of radon and health. It does not aim to replace existing radiation protection standards, rather it emphasizes issues relevant to the comprehensive planning, implementation and evaluation of national radon programmes.
This handbook, published in September 2009, can be downloaded as a pdf file free of charge. Alternatively, a copy of the handbook can be purchased from the WHO Book Shop:
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Click here to download a copy of the Radon handbook
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Click here to visit the WHO Book Shop
In the framework of the International Radon Project, WHO has produced updated information on health aspects of indoor radon:
WHO Radon Survey [pdf 620kb]
Fact Sheet N°291 - Radon and cancer
This fact sheet is available in English and French
WHO Radon leaflet [pdf 1.34Mb]
WHO Information Sheet on Radon and health (March 2004) [pdf 134kb]
Additional Information on Radon
The United Nations Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) was established in 1955, reporting to the UN General Assembly on levels and effects of radiation. The UNSCEAR 2006 Report: "Effects of ionizing radiation", Volume II comprises an annex on sources-to-effects assessment for radon in homes and workplaces. Previous estimates of risk for radon were calculated from health studies of underground miners, who were exposed to high levels of radon and its decay products. In this report recent studies of the public, in Europe, North America and China, has been evaluated. There is direct evidence to confirm a risk of lung cancer from radon exposures in home.
In 1999 the Board of Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) U.S.A. published the BEIR VI Report: The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon. This report by the NAS is the most comprehensive accumulation of scientific data on indoor radon. The report confirms that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and that it is a serious public health problem.
Link to publication and Executive Summary
UK Health Protection Agency - Radon FAQs
US Environmental Protection Agency - Radon FAQs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in co-operation with American Medical Association - Physician's Guide to Radon
Please note: many organizations provide information on radon and a few sites have been listed here for your convenience. However, their inclusion on this page does not imply that the views or opinions expressed within these sites are necessarily endorsed or recommended by WHO.
Radon in drinking water
Radon can enter - and be released from - water that is intended for human consumption. Underground rock containing natural uranium releases radon into the surrounding water.
Once absorbed, radon is readily released from surface water into the air. Groundwater, on the other hand, is known to have a higher concentration of radon. In cases where groundwater wells with very high radon concentrations have been identified, it is possible that consumers of water from these wells may take up elevated quantities of radon through ingestion and inhalation.
In most cases radon from drinking water contributes only marginally to the overall radiation dose from radon. Several treatment options to reduce elevated radon concentrations in drinking water supplies are available.
The WHO IRP does not focus on the issue of radon in drinking water, but information is available at:
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WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
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National Academy of Sciences - Report on Radon in Drinking Water
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