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Duino Castle - Radon Priority Area Karst, Friuli Venezia Giulia

Radon Gas Friuli Venezia Giulia

Radon Friuli Venezia Giulia: Regulations, Priority Areas, and Deadlines

From the Karst to the Carnic Alps, radon gas is an invisible but tangible safety challenge. Explore the complete guide to the obligations of Legislative Decree 101/2020 and the recent DGR 1622/2024: find out if your business or home is in one of the new Priority Areas and how to protect health with certified measurements.

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The Radon Issue in Friuli Venezia Giulia

A territory geologically predisposed and the regulatory responses.

Friuli Venezia Giulia Regulatory References

Friuli Venezia Giulia has completed the transposition of the Euratom Directive through the application of Legislative Decree 101/2020 and the approval of the fundamental Regional Board Resolution no. 1622 of October 31, 2024. This regulatory act, based on radiometric surveys conducted by ARPA FVG, precisely defined the 215 Municipalities classified as priority areas for the presence of radon gas, imposing stringent measurement obligations for public health protection.

National Law D.LGS 101/2020
National Plan PNAR 2023-2032
Priority Areas Resolution DGR n. 1622/2024 (BUR)
EU Regulatory Source DIR. 2013/59/EURATOM

For further details, consult the official ARPA FVG section on Priority Areas.

Official Bulletin

Reg. Board Res. n. 1622 (BUR 46/2024)

Cover BUR FVG n.46
Download Resolution (PDF)
Official Gazette

List of Priority Areas (G.U. n. 299)

Cover Official Gazette n.299
Download Gazette (PDF)

Regulatory Vanguard: Beyond the national minimum

Friuli Venezia Giulia is at the national forefront in the fight against radon, adopting a regulatory approach that exceeds minimum state requirements. Through the rigorous application of Legislative Decree 101/2020 and the approval of the detailed DGR 1622/2024, the region has defined a clear framework for prevention. The major innovation is the mandatory extension of measurement obligations to all ground-floor premises located in priority areas (and not just underground ones), recognizing that the Karst conformation allows the gas to saturate even levels above ground. This measure, supported by severe criminal penalties for non-compliance, reflects a unique institutional awareness in Italy regarding the oncological risks resulting from long-term exposure.

Critical Geology: Why the Karst and Carnia?

The geological complexity of the regional territory makes Friuli Venezia Giulia a unique case study in Europe. In the Trieste and Gorizia Karst, the predominance of fractured carbonate rocks creates a veritable system of "natural chimneys": the extremely high soil permeability favors very rapid convective transport of radium-generated gas to the surface and overlying buildings. Different but equally critical is the situation in the Carnic Alps, where ancient Paleozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks hold very high primary concentrations of uranium-238. Even the alluvial plains of the high Friuli area, made up of extremely porous gravels, are not exempt from risk, allowing rising flows that require constant monitoring.

ARPA Monitoring: Data, not opinions

The safety of Friuli citizens rests on one of the most sophisticated monitoring networks in Italy. The Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA FVG) has conducted decades-long campaigns, such as the famous "Radon in 1000 families" project, collecting thousands of indoor measurements that have allowed drawing the risk map with unprecedented resolution. The regional database is not a simple archive, but a dynamic prevention tool that guides urban planning policies: thanks to this data, consultable on the FVG Region portal, it is now possible to know with surgical precision which municipalities need priority interventions.

Historical Path of Radon Regulations

From the 2013 European Directive to the FVG 2024 Resolution: evolution of the legal framework.

2013 - EUROPEAN UNION

Directive 2013/59/Euratom

The BSS Directive (Basic Safety Standards) establishes fundamental safety standards for protection against ionizing radiation, including radon gas. It introduces for the first time at the European level the reference level of 300 Bq/m³ for workplaces and dwellings.

Read on EUR-Lex
1
2020 - ITALY

Legislative Decree July 31, 2020, n. 101

The Consolidated Law on Radiation Protection transposes the Euratom Directive in Italy. It introduces mandatory obligations for employers, defines Priority Areas, establishes the National Radon Action Plan (PNAR) and provides for criminal penalties for defaulters (Art. 205).

Guide D.Lgs 101/2020 Normattiva
2
2020/2023 - REGIONAL STUDIES

Preparatory Activities and ARPA Studies

While awaiting national guidelines, the Region activated the Radon Working Group. ARPA FVG consolidated the database of historical measurements ("Radon Prone Areas" and "1000 families" campaigns), creating the scientific basis indispensable for the subsequent territorial classification.

Go to ARPA Radon portal
3
2024 - NATIONAL

National Radon Action Plan

The strategic document (PNAR 2023-2032) that coordinates the Regions. Fundamental for long-term remediation strategies and prevention in new constructions.

PNAR Guide
4
OCTOBER 2024 - FRIULI V.G.

Resolution n. 1622 of 10/31/2024

It is the most important implementing provision. By making official the list of Municipalities in Priority Areas, the Resolution triggers the measurement obligation extended even to ground floor premises (in addition to underground ones, already obligated everywhere). It sanctions the transition from the study phase to the operational phase: schools, workplaces, and public activities in classified zones must now adapt within peremptory deadlines to avoid incurring criminal penalties.

Download Resolution (PDF)
5

Municipalities in FVG Priority Area

Official map and classification of the regional territory (DGR 1622/2024).

Radon Map Friuli Venezia Giulia Clean

LEGEND

Priority area at radon risk

Area where it is estimated that the % of dwellings with annual average concentration > 300 Bq/m³ is greater than 15%.

Radon risk attention area

Area where it is estimated that the % of dwellings with annual average concentration > 300 Bq/m³ is between 10% and 15%.

Low radon risk area

Area where it is estimated that the % of dwellings with annual average concentration > 300 Bq/m³ is less than 10%.

Provisionally classified municipalities

Municipalities for which classification was made on few measurements (< 5), with high uncertainty.

Municipal boundaries refer to the year 2024. Source ARPA FVG.

The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has identified radon risk areas in implementation of art. 11 of Legislative Decree 101/2020. The classification is based on a solid historical database consisting of over 4,500 annual measurements carried out by ARPA FVG during the "Radon Prone Areas" (2006, 2014) and "Radon Misure per 1000 Famiglie" (2017) campaigns.

Below are the lists of municipalities classified as Priority Area (exceedance > 15%), Attention Area (exceedance 10-15%) and in Provisional Classification (municipalities with few available measurements but indications of risk).

Table 1. Municipalities in Priority Area

Source: ARPA FVG - DGR 1622/2024

CityProvInhab.
Ampezzo UD 920
Andreis PN 246
Arba PN 1274
Aviano PN 8866
Barcis PN 226
Bicinicco UD 1811
Campoformido UD 7857
Cimolais PN 343
Claut PN 883
Codroipo UD 15.877
Cordenons PN 17.886
Coseano UD 2045
Dogna UD 154
Duino Aurisina TS 8353
Enemonzo UD 1280
Flaibano UD 1095
Fogliano Redipuglia GO 2992
Forgaria nel Friuli UD 1708
Forni Avoltri UD 515
Lusevera UD 585
Malborghetto Valbruna UD 910
Maniago PN 11.555
Martignacco UD 6847
Mereto di Tomba UD 2530
Moggio Udinese UD 1621
Montereale Valcellina PN 4267
Mortegliano UD 4814
Ovaro UD 1752
Pasian di Prato UD 9265
Pavia di Udine UD 5514
Polcenigo PN 3123
Pozzuolo del Friuli UD 6906
Prato Carnico UD 853
Rive d'Arcano UD 2358
Roveredo in Piano PN 5860
San Quirino PN 4191
Sauris UD 390
Sequals PN 2170
Sgonico TS 1999
Socchieve UD 860
Spilimbergo PN 11.826
Sutrio UD 1239
Talmassons UD 3878
Tarvisio UD 3997
Tavagnacco UD 14.730
Tramonti di Sopra PN 271
Tramonti di Sotto PN 339
Travesio PN 1783
Trivignano Udinese UD 1564
Vajont PN 1669
Visco UD 816

Table 2. Municipalities in Attention Area

Probability of exceeding threshold between 10% and 15%

CityProvInh.
AmaroUD844
BasilianoUD5233
BertioloUD2376
ButtrioUD3878
Castions di StradaUD3694
Cavazzo CarnicoUD937
ClauzettoPN372
DignanoUD2262
Doberdò del LagoGO1350
FontanafreddaPN12.762
GonarsUD4554
Magnano in RivieraUD2273
MedunoPN1504
MonrupinoTS857
MoraroGO695
PagnaccoUD5112
PaularoUD2373
PovolettoUD5410
PremariaccoUD3973
RavasclettoUD494
SagradoGO2168
San Pietro al NatisoneUD2086
San Vito di FagagnaUD1679
Santa Maria la LongaUD2313
UdineUD97.736
VerzegnisUD838
Vito d'AsioPN720
VivaroPN1292

Table 3. Municipalities in Provisional Classification

Classification based on a limited number of measurements.

CityProvInh.
Cavasso NuovoPN1501
Marano LagunareUD1756
MedeaGO949
RaveoUD444
ResiuttaUD259
StregnaUD304
Treppo LigosulloUD682
TurriacoGO2806
ZuglioUD552

The Specific Case of Trieste

A territorial management based on Administrative Districts.

The territory of the Municipality of Trieste represents a unicum at the regional and national level. Its particular geological conformation sees the clear contrast between the Karst plateau, made up of highly permeable and fractured limestone rocks (therefore predisposed to radon rising), and the marly-arenaceous coastal zone, tending to be less critical but not free from specific risks.

Due to this extreme spatial variability, which manifests itself even at a distance of a few hundred meters, ARPA FVG and the Region have opted for a detailed classification that does not involve the entire municipality as a whole but goes down to the level of the individual Administrative Districts [Circoscrizioni]. This surgical approach avoids unjustified alarm in low-risk areas (such as the historic city center on anthropic deposits or flysch) and concentrates prevention and remediation resources where really necessary (West and East Plateau).

Distribution of measurement points in the municipality of Trieste

Concentrations (Bq/m³)

< 200 Bq/m³
200 - 300 Bq/m³
300 - 500 Bq/m³
> 500 Bq/m³

Distribution of measurement points in the municipality of Trieste based on concentration classes and census boundaries.

Classification of the municipality of Trieste according to administrative districts

Zone Classification

Priority Area High-risk districts
Low Risk Districts < 15% exceedance

Classification of the municipality of Trieste according to administrative districts.

Table 4. Trieste Districts in Priority Area

DistrictInhabitants
ALTIPIANO OVEST 3559
ALTIPIANO EST 10.537

Table 5. Trieste Districts in Low Risk Area

DistrictInhabitants
ROIANO-GRETTA-BARCOLA - COLOGNA-SCORCOLA 34.081
CITTA' NUOVA-BARRIERA NUOVA - SAN VITO-CITTA' VECCHIA 33.940
BARRIERA VECCHIA - SAN GIACOMO 48.699
SAN GIOVANNI - CHIADINO-ROZZOL 30.129
SERVOLA-CHIARBOLA - VALMAURA-BORGO SAN SERGIO 39.690

Why these specific areas?

The link between geology and radon gas in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The Karst (Trieste/Gorizia)

The Karst plateau is characterized by extremely fractured limestone rocks. These fissures act as "chimneys", allowing radon to rise quickly from the deep subsoil and accumulate in buildings.

The Alpine Zone (Carnia)

The Carnic Alps present complex formations with Paleozoic rocks containing uranium minerals. Glacial deposits and tectonic faults facilitate the migration of the gas towards the surface.

High Plain Gravels

The foothills of Pordenone and Udine consist of very permeable gravel alluvial fans. The porosity of the soil favors the convective movement of radon gas.

Building Materials

In some historical areas, the use of local stones (such as certain tuffs or granites) or processing slags can contribute, albeit to a lesser extent than the soil, to indoor concentration.

How to Protect Yourself

In new constructions, waterproofing against the ground (radon-proof membranes) is essential. In existing buildings, crawl space ventilation or soil depressurization are the most effective techniques.

Accredited Laboratory

Measurements valid for Legislative Decree 101/2020 must be analyzed exclusively by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. "Do-it-yourself" kits have no legal value.

Business Obligations and DVR

Integrating radon assessment into occupational safety.

Mandatory Assessment

The employer has a legal obligation to assess radon risk. It is not an optional choice, but must be integrated into the Risk Assessment Document (DVR). The lack of measurements makes the DVR incomplete and sanctionable.

Limit 300 Bq/m³ and Remediation

The legislation sets the maximum annual average concentration at 300 Bq/m³. If measurements exceed this value, it is mandatory to implement corrective measures (remediation) within 24 months, using a qualified expert.

Criminal Penalties

Failure to comply with measurement and remediation obligations is severely punished by art. 205. Arrest from 1 to 6 months or fines from 2,000 to 15,000 euros are provided for the defaulting employer.

Learn more about Radon in Workplaces

FAQ

FAQ: Frequent Questions FVG

Answers to common doubts about regional regulations.

What is the reference legislation in FVG?
The basis is the national Legislative Decree 101/2020. At the regional level, L.R. 20/2023 and DGR 1622/2024 which updated the priority areas map are relevant.
Who is required to measure?
The obligation applies to:
  • All underground workplaces (basements/semi-basements) throughout the region.
  • All ground-floor workplaces in "Priority Area" municipalities.
  • Schools and kindergartens of all levels.
What are the deadlines?
Measurements last one calendar year (two semesters). For new activities, the obligation starts within 90 days of opening. For newly identified priority areas, deadlines run from the publication of the resolution in the Official Gazette.
How much does it cost to comply?
The cost depends on the square footage and the number of measurement points needed. It generally starts from a few hundred euros. It is essential to use accredited services to avoid penalties.
Is "DIY" valid?
No. To comply with legal obligations (DVR), measurements must be carried out with dosimeters provided and analyzed by certified suitable laboratories. Amateur devices have no legal value.
What happens if I exceed the limits?
You must appoint a qualified radon remediation expert (surveyor, architect, or engineer) to design and execute remediation interventions within 24 months.
Are private homes checked?
There are no mandatory checks for existing homes (except for major renovations), but given the high incidence of lung cancer in FVG linked to radon, measurement is strongly recommended for family health.
How often is the measurement repeated?
If values are below 300 Bq/m³, every 8 years. In case of structural building works, it must be repeated immediately.
Go to full FAQ section

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