Transcript www.aarst.org

Experiences with
Different Approaches to
Involve the Citizen and the Building
Professional in Radon Protection
Angelika Kunte
National Radon Centre of Austria
AARST Symposium 2014
Charleston, SC, Sept. 28th - Oct. 1st, 2014
www.ages.at
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
Focus of this presentation
• Some thoughts on radon risk communication
• Experiences from four measurement campaigns in Austria:
approaches, costs, rate of participation, rate of mitigation, reasons
for different success
• Experiences with financial aid (subsidies) for measurement,
mitigation, prevention
• Radon in the media
• A way to evaluate communication pathways in the radon risk
communication
• The Bavarian approach (Radon-Network, training for building experts)
• Summary & conclusion
2
Radon risk communication
Rather unique communication challenge:
• it’s natural, it’s been always there → nobody to blame
• no physical evidence (no smell, no taste, not visible)
• people feel safe at home
• no symptoms
• many things cause cancer
• no “dead bodies”, no blood from radon
3
Radon risk communication
Why?
Communication
goals
What?
Who?
Key messages
Target groups
An wen?
Wie?
How?
Communication
channels
4
Communication goals
Step 1: Raise awareness
Step 2: Create understanding
/ build confidence & trust
Step 3: Convince people to
take action
Task is not just to raise awareness, but to create risk
perception which leads to action !!!
5
Key messages
• General key messages (key facts)
• Specific ones, depending on target group
• Should be kept simple, easy to understand and short
• Information on personal health risk (→ measurement) and risk
reduction (→ mitigation, prevention)
• For example:
“Radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer in
many countries”
“Radon measurement is cheap and mitigation can be done at
moderate cost as well (in most cases).”
6
Target groups
Decision
makers
Local governments
Central gov.
Stakeholders
Politicans
Public
General public
Population
segments
NGOs
Trusted
influencers
Physicians
Pharmacists
Teachers
Journalists
Industry
Building professionals
Remediators
Measuring comp.
Ref.: Ivana Fojtikova
7
Communication channels
MEDIA: Newspapers (local, nationwide), Magazines, Radio, TV, Internet
Radon in different medias in Austria
[May '12-May '14]
Print media
Online media
TV
Radio
8
Radon risk communication
TRUSTED SOURCES:
Physicians, pharmacists, educationalists, politicians (?)
MEETINGS/EVENTS:
Radon forums, focus groups, trade fairs, public events
PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE AND COURSES:
For builders, architects, engineers, manufacturers
EDUCATION:
Population (especially kids), building professionals
INTERNET AND SOCIAL NETWORKS:
For the public, web pages, videos showing good practise in
measurement and in building industry
9
Particularities of the radon situation in
Austria
Due to “Bad Gastein” and several other radon spas and health
resorts – in the general public opinion radon is “good”
 Even Russian people come to Austria for their radon therapies
and baths
 Media presence of radon topics over the last 2 years shows that
“good” radon articles outweigh the articles about “bad” radon
 About 10 % of deaths from lung cancer due to radon.
25
"Bad" radon (health risk)
20
"Good" radon (therapeutical use)
15
10
Mai…
Apr…
Mär…
Feb…
Jan…
Dez…
Nov…
Okt…
Sep…
Aug…
Jul '13
Mai…
Jun…
Apr…
Mär…
Feb…
Jan…
Dez…
Nov…
Okt…
Sep…
Aug…
Jul '12
Jun…
Mai…
Apr…
0
Mär…
5
10
Average radon concentration in buildings
(ref.: WHO)
Average radon concentration in Austria: 102 Bq/m³
11
The Austrian Radon Potential Map
www.radon.gv.at
Radonpotential class I (< 200)
Radonpotential class II (200 – 400)
Radonpotentail class III (> 400)
12
13
The legal frame for radon control in Austria
 A new EU BSS was published on Feb.6th, 2014 – has to be
implemented into Austrian law by 2018 – new challenges are up to
come:
 The reference level for radon in all kinds of buildings has to be
adapted (currently 400 Bq/m³ for existing buildings, 200 Bq/m³
for new buildings) – the EU says max. 300 Bq/m³ for all kinds
of buildings.
 A new National Radon Action Plan is currently under
development
14
Radon Measurement Campaigns
Radon map
3 municipalities 3 municipalities
Upper Austria
Styria
Radon map 2.0
8 000 households
700 households
1 000 households
6 000
households
interviewer
local fire brigades
local fire brigades
local fire brigade
chiefs
3 letters
articles in press
2 public meetings
1 letter
articles in press
2 public meetings
1 letter
information of
chiefs
1 letter
€ 15,-
€ 0,-
€ 5,50
€ 7,-
95 – 100 %
91 %
51 %
in progress
costly, but
effective
very efficient
medium
participation rate
15
Overview
2nd campaign in Upper Austria (2010):
Reichenau i.M.
Ottenschlag i.M.
Haibach i.M.
Upper Austria
Total
population:
1.418.498
ROI
population:
2.543
16
Assessment 2nd campaign
Pilot Study
Reichenau, Haibach, Ottenschlag i.M.
17
Overview
3rd campaign in Styria (2013):
Spital a. S.
Langenwang
Ganz
Styria
Total
population:
1.210.971
ROI
population:
6.088
18
Assessment 3rd campaign
Pilot Study
Spital am Semmering, Langenwang, Ganz
19
Comparison Campaigns 2 + 3
Federal state
Upper Austria
Styria
Total population
1 418 498
1 210 971
Radon risk communication work
> 20 years
no
Free radon measurements
yes (1997)
yes (2013)
Financial support for remediation
yes (1997)
yes (2013)*
Financial support for preventive
measures
yes (1997)
no
yes
no**
moderate
very poor
Other radon studies
Radon risk awareness
started after project
** small projects
*
20
Comparison campaigns 2 + 3
Federal state
Upper Austria
Styria
Radon prone area (ROI)
yes
no
Tourist region
no
yes
Part of a local health project
yes
no
Willingness of the local politician
high
poor
Willingness of the local fire brigade
(without expense allowance)
high
poor
Willingness of the local fire brigade
(with expense allowance)
-
high
(5.5€/household)
high
moderate
Fear of desettlement of people
no
yes
Local controversial issues
no
yes (Semmeringbasis tunnel)
Willingness of the citizens
21
Issues to be considered
• Willingness of the local politicians
- degree of knowledge about the
radon issue
- fear of desettlement of people
- fear of stricter radon buildings
regulations
- local political disagreements
- radon spa in municipality
• Willingness of the local fire brigade
- limited personnel capacity
- limited time
- additional costs (→ allowance)
- “handyman” for any kind of tasks
22
Issues to be considered
• Willingness of the citizens
- depending on national / local risk communication efforts,
ie. radon awareness
- local controversial issues (e.g. mining projects, radon spa)
- fear of decrease in the value of their properties
- “I have been fine in my home so far, don’t want to know”
- “Who will help me if I have high radon levels? Can I afford
remediation?”
23
Conclusion „Measurement campaigns“
“…fine line between victory and defeat”
• local sensitivities
 not predictable (e.g. tunnel project, radon spa)
 often not solvable (e.g. longstanding dispute)
• existing radon risk communication work is important
 increases willingness of the local politicians and citizens to
support the study
• useful to combine it with other frameworks
 e.g. health awareness campaigns
• cooperation with wellknown resident people
 e.g. fire brigade, sport clubs
• you need a central contact person for radon remediation!
24
Financial support Upper Austria
In the federal state of Upper Austria there has been financial support
by the authority since 1997:

Measurement
Free long-term measurement in dwellings without basement

Remediation
If radon level > 1 000 Bq/m³ → 22 % of remediation costs (max.
1,454,- EUR) refunded

Prevention
364,- EUR given after advice through authority on preventive
measures for new buildings in radon prone areas
25
Financial support Upper Austria
Measurements
250
200
boot at
building fare
150
50
0
Prevention
25
15
10
5
0
Remediation
10 % > 1.000 Bq/m³
30 % > 400 Bq/m³
→ only 15 % of dwellings
> 400 Bq/m³ ask for
advice and support
100
20
press
conference
on Mar 20th
legislation on radon
protection of new buildings
in force on Dec 17th, 2008
Upper Austria - statistics
280.000 dwellings in total
→ 900 dwellings measured
25.000 dw. > 400 Bq/m³
→ 34 remediated
4.000 new dwellings per
year
26
Radon in the media in Austria
Media monitoring since Mar 1st, 2012
total number of radon hits in all media (March 2012 - May 2014)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Mär Apr Mai Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Dez Jan Feb Mär Apr Mai Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Dez Jan Feb Mär Apr Mai
'12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '14 '14 '14 '14 '14
16
14
12
press conference
"good" radon -> 2/3
"bad" radon -> 1/3
10
8
6
4
2
0
Mär Apr Mai Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Dez Jan Feb Mär Apr Mai Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Dez Jan Feb Mär Apr Mai
'12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '12 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '14 '14 '14 '14 27
'14
Radon-website and infoline
Dedicated governmental radon website www.radon.gv.at
Dedicated radon infoline on Wed 11 am – 1 pm
35
30
25
20
radon in the media
calls AGES radoninfoline
one very efficient article
(Chamber of labour
journal)
15
10
5
0
Mär '13 Apr '13 Mai '13 Jun '13 Jul '13 Aug '13 Sep '13 Okt '13 Nov '13Dez '13 Jan '14 Feb '14 Mär '14 Apr '14 Mai '14
28
Methods for assessing specific measures to
raise public awareness
If a measure is effective or worth giving it a chance mainly depends
on the following 4 factors:
[1 (very low) -5 (very high)]
• Scope
• Invested time
• Costs
• Impact
Effectiveness =
Impact x Scope
Costs x Invested time
29
Category
[1 – 5]
Very low (1)
Low
(2)
Medium (3)
High
(4)
Very high (5)
Scope
Invested
time
Estimated
costs
< 30
people
30 – 100
people
< 10 h
< 500 €
Short-term, catch
attention
0,04 – 0,25
10 – 40 h
500 –
1.000 €
0,26 – 0,65
40 – 100 h
1.000 2.000 €
Key messages are
transferred, should
awake interest
Lasting effect,
target group will
memorize and
reflect some of the
main facts
Creates
understanding;
good chance that it
leads to action
Creates comprehension; will most likely
lead to action
100 1.000
people
1.000 10.000
people
> 10.000
people
0,04 0,25 0,65
100 – 200 h 2.000 € 5.000 €
>200 h
1,5
> 5.000 €
4
Impact
Effectiveness
[0,04 – 25]
0,66 – 1,5
1,51 – 3,99
4 - 25
25
30
Examples
Radon brochures (e. g. on remediation measures)
-
Target group: constructors / owners
Costs: high (4)
Scope / range: medium (3)
Transferred knowledge about radon: high (4)
Invested time: high (4)
Effectiveness =
4x3
4x4
= 0,75 = medium
31
4 International radon brochures
• Precautions for new buildings
• Measurement and evaluation
• Mitigation measures in existing buildings
• The effect of retrofitting thermal insulation
32
• Published in 2011 by a board of radon experts from different
countries:
• Austria
• Bavaria & Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
• South Tyrolia (Italy)
• Switzerland
• Available in 4 languages: German, English, French and Italian
• Free download at www.ages.at (English version: www.bag.ch)
• Used as free handout for the interested public and at radon
events and conferences.
• Sent to the majors of all municipalities for information in Upper
Austria (more Austrian federal states are going to follow).
33
• Articles in specific magazines
-
Target group: Building experts / healt sector professionals
Costs: very low (1)
Scope / range: very high (5)
Transferred knowledge about radon: very high (5)
Invested time: medium (3)
Effectiveness =
5x5
1x3
= 8,33 = very high
34
• Geocaching a radon-cache
-
Target group: Geocaching community
Costs: very low (1)
Scope / range: low (2)
Transferred knowledge about radon: high (4)
Invested time: very low (1)
Effectiveness =
2x4
1x1
= 8 = very high
35
After the participants have solved the questions listed in
the internet on the radon-cache page
http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2JYRZ , they use
coordinates resulting from the solutions, to locate a small radon box
on site using GPS.
The radon box contains besides the logbook and a pen the following
"treasures":
 Detectors for radon measurement
 Detectors for the determination of radon and thoron
 Information on radon
There is also a trackable radon detector,
which has already
“traveled” 5455km.
36
Draft, 2014
Kommunikations-pfad
Zielgruppe
Reichweite
Zeitlicher Aufwand
Wirkung
Effektivität
sehr gering
gering - mittel
sehr hoch (4,17)
hoch
mittel
Mittel (0,75)
hoch
hoch
hoch
Mittel (0,75)
mittel
sehr hoch
hoch
hoch
Internetauftritt
Öffentlichkeit
sehr hoch
mittel
Radon-App
Öffentlichkeit
mittel
mittel
Bauherren
mittel
DACH Broschüren
Geschätzte Kosten
Weitere Informationsbroschüren
Öffentlichkeit
Platzierung von Links / Werbebanner
Öffentlichkeit
hoch
sehr gering
gering
sehr gering
Thematische Radonkonferenzen
Baufachleute
gering
mittel
gering
sehr hoch
Radonberatungsstelle
Bauherren,
Baufachleute
Geocaching
Community
Öffentlichkeit
Geocaching
Logo
Radon-Folder
Bauherrenmappe
Bauherren,
Baufachleute
Bauherren
sehr gering - gering
sehr hoch
hoch
sehr hoch
gering
sehr gering
sehr gering
hoch
sehr hoch
mittel
mittel
sehr gering
mittel
gering
mittel
hoch
mittel
gering
gering
sehr hoch
gering (0,60)
hoch (2,00)
hoch (1,67)
gering (0,38)
sehr hoch (8,00)
gering (0,56)
hoch (2,00)
Hoch
(3,75)
sehr hoch (6,25)
Talk Shows
Fernsehpublikum
sehr hoch
gering
sehr gering
gering- mittel
Fernsehwerbung
Fernsehpublikum
sehr hoch
mittel
sehr hoch
gering
mittel (0,67)
gering (0,75)
Flyer
Öffentlichkeit
mittel
hoch
gering
gering
Radon Postkarten
Öffentlichkeit
hoch
mittel
mittel
gering
mittel (0,89)
Themenvideos
Öffentlichkeit
mittel
hoch
sehr hoch
mittel
gering (0,45)
Informationsveranstaltungen
Hausbesitzer,
Bauherren
Hausbesitzer
mittel
mittel
sehr gering
hoch
gering- mittel
sehr hoch
sehr hoch
gering- mittel
hoch
mittel
gering
gering- mittel
hoch (1,67)
sehr hoch (5,00)
Messkampagnen
Radonmess-Kits
Hausbesitzer
Vertrieb von "Radon-Literatur"
Baufachleute
Implementierung in bestehende
Nachschlagewerke
Baufachleute
Werbemittel
Öffentlichkeit
Road Shows
Außenwerbung
Artikel in Fachzeitschriften
sehr hoch (4,00)
sehr gering (0,25)
gering
gering
sehr gering
sehr hoch
hoch
hoch - sehr hoch
gering
hoch
hoch
sehr gering
sehr hoch
sehr gering
mittel (0,80)
Öffentlichkeit
mittel
mittel
sehr gering
hoch
sehr hoch (4,00)
Öffentlichkeit
sehr hoch
mittel
hoch
gering
mittel (0,83)
hoch (1,78)
Fachleute
sehr hoch
mittel
sehr gering
sehr hoch
sehr hoch (8,33)
Artikel in Regionalzeitschriften
Bürger der Region
hoch
gering
sehr gering
mittel
sehr hoch (6,00)
Vorträge an Volkshochschulen
Bauherren,
Baufachleute
Bürger und Besucher
der Region
gering
gering
sehr gering
hoch
mittel - hoch
mittel - hoch
hoch
hoch
mittel
hoch
hoch
hoch
Radon-Lehrpfad
Informationsstände auf Fachmessen
Bauherren /
Baufachleute
hoch (4,00)
mittel (1,00)
mittel (0,75)
37
The Bavarian radon network
est. 2012
Quality
standards
Radon
experts
Cooperation
Education
Universities
Public
Information
Communication
38
Activities of the Radon Network
 Cooperation with other federal states in Germany regarding radon
issues (for example: approval of the course certification)
 Collaboration at remediation projects
 Special events for representatives of universities - establishing the
topic “radon” at various courses at Bavarian universities
 Last network meeting was in Sept. 2014 in Munich
39
Network meetings twice a year
40
Composition of the radon network
41
Training course on radon for building experts in
Bavaria
 Two courses in 2013 at the Bavarian Environmental Agency in
Augsburg
 20 participants per course (fully booked)
 Four Days: two days theoretical schooling, one practical day, last day
for exams, further lectures and discussions
 Candidates have to pass written and oral exams to get the certificate
 Several further education institutes are interested in adopting the
course concept (e. g. course has already been realized in Saxony)
42
43
Summary I
 Radon risk communication is special task because many different
target groups (professions: health, building, law; decision makers,
public → specific messages) and communication channels
 Success of measurement campaigns depends largely on radon
awareness (politicians + public) but also on local circumstances
(mining, radon spa, politics)
 Financial support helps but needs thorough risk communication
 Kind of risk communication (press vs. internet, newspaper vs.
specific journal etc.) needs close consideration
44
Summary II
 Task is not just to raise awareness, but to create risk perception
which leads to action !!!
 The effectiveness of certain measures to raise awareness and
inform the public or specific target groups can be estimated by
taking these 4 factors into consideration: costs, scope, transferred
knowledge about radon, invested time
 Experiences with and especially positive effects of the so called
“Radon network” in Bavaria
 Members function as multiplicators
 Substantial impact in raising media presence
 Connects experts and interested potential contractors
45
Thank you for
your attention!
Angelika Kunte
National Radon Centre
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES)
Radiation Protection
Department of Radon and Radioecology
Wieningerstrasse 8
A-4020 Linz, Austria
Tel. ++43-(0)50555-41907
Fax ++43-(0)50555-41915
[email protected]
www.ages.at
46