Alert but Don’t Alarm: Radon Risk Communication Strategies of a UK Mitigator

Rebecca CoatespropertECO

Charleston, South Carolina

Building Solutions For A Sustainable Future

•Surveying•Contracting•Consultancy

•Project Management•Design•Training

UK Radon Framework

• Public Health England

• Health & Safety Executive

• Building Research Establishment

Reference Levels

Homes

•Action Level: 200 Bq/m3 ( 5.4 pCi/l)

•Target Level: 100 Bq/m3 ( 2.7 pCi/l)

Workplaces

•Action Level: 400 Bq/m3 ( 10.8 pCi/l)

Radon Awareness in the UK

• Generally quite low amongst public

• Property professionals are often aware, but lack understanding

“I don’t think it is a very good topic for a seminar... Can’t you do something more

relevant?”

“No, it is unlikely that anyone would

attend. It’s not really of interest”

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

“There are no guidance notes

on radon on our database...

I think the flooding risk is more important

than radon”

Building Code Officials

Targeting Professionals

• Journal articles

• Social Media

• Educational Seminars

Educational Seminars

Educational Seminars

• Information can reach much wider audience

Seminar for RIBAIn-house Seminar x 2

Testing programme for 1000+ properties

Radon message reaches 55,000 employees

General Public

• Frame messages in terms of benefits, not costs

• Provide information relevant to their situation

• Make the risks understandable

Using Other Media

www.youtube.com/user/properteco

More Videos

BFS, Germany

RPII, Ireland

Alert, But Don’t Alarm

Social Media

Target Professionals

SeminarsMake risks

understandable

Use alternative media

Rebecca Coatesrebecca.coates@properteco.co.uk

www.properteco.co.uk