Remediation & Mitigation
Radon Remediation Expert: The key figure for your safety
Have you measured radon concentrations above the limits? Don't improvise. Rely on a qualified Remediation Expert to design effective and definitive mitigation interventions.
Who is the Radon Remediation Expert?
Requirements, technical skills, and why you should rely only on qualified professionals
A Professional Figure Guaranteed by Law
The Radon Remediation Expert is a professional figure introduced and defined by Legislative Decree 101/2020 (transposition of European Directive 2013/59/Euratom). This is not just a "recommendation": Italian law clearly states that when radon concentrations exceed the reference level of 300 Bq/m³, it is mandatory to rely on a qualified professional for the design and direction of remediation interventions.
The Radon Remediation Expert is the only figure authorized to sign remediation projects. This qualification guarantees that the professional possesses the necessary radiation protection, geological, and construction skills to solve the problem at its root, without compromising the structural safety, healthiness, or energy efficiency of the building.
Legislative Decree 101/2020 (specifically Article 15) and the National Radon Action Plan (PNAR) reiterate the obligation to intervene. For technical and health insights, you can also consult the ISS National Radon Portal. Ignoring these provisions can result in administrative sanctions and, in case of health damage, civil and criminal liability.
Who Can Remediate Radon?
Italian regulations (D.Lgs 101/2020) are very clear: not everyone can design radon mitigation interventions. Only a qualified technical professional – specifically an Architect, Engineer, or Surveyor – regularly registered with their professional Order or College and holding a specific qualification certificate issued after a training course of at least 60 hours.
This professional figure is equated, in some respects, to the Qualified Radiation Protection Expert, but with specific skills on radon in indoor environments. The qualification must be documentable and verifiable with professional Orders or trade associations like Assoradon.
The Crucial Role of Design
An Expert's intervention is not limited to "installing a fan": it is an articulated process that begins with a detailed technical inspection. The professional analyzes the geological characteristics of the site, the building's construction type, materials used, and potential gas entry paths (cracks, joints, utility passages, porosity of the slab).
Based on this analysis, the Expert drafts a technical project identifying the most suitable solution: active soil depressurization (ASD/SSD), ventilated crawl space, controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV), sealing of entry routes, or a combination of these techniques.
Without adequate design, interventions are often ineffective, with concentrations remaining above limits, wasted money, and the need for costly rework.
Warning: DIY Solutions are Ineffective and Illegal!
Attempting to solve the radon problem with improvised solutions (sealing windows, opening windows, putting a fan in the cellar) is almost always ineffective and can even worsen the situation. Sealing windows, for example, reduces air exchange and increases indoor concentrations.
But there's more: in workplaces and public buildings (schools, hospitals, offices), Legislative Decree 101/2020 explicitly imposes the obligation to entrust the design to a qualified Expert. Intervening without the required skills can expose the employer or building manager to administrative sanctions (up to tens of thousands of euros) and, in case of damage to the health of workers or occupants, to criminal liability.
Even for private homes, although there is no formal obligation, it is strongly recommended to turn to a professional to avoid wasting money and useless interventions. Protecting your family's health admits no improvisation.
Why Does the Law Require a Qualified Expert?
Health Protection
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Only properly designed interventions guarantee effective risk reduction.
Efficiency Guarantee
A qualified professional designs scalable interventions and verifies results with post-operam measurements.
Economic Savings
Avoiding ineffective interventions means not wasting money. A correct project is an investment, not an expense.
Radon Expert Course (60 hours)
To obtain the qualification, the professional must attend and pass a high-level radon expert training course with a minimum duration of 60 hours. These courses are organized by accredited bodies, professional orders, or universities and cover:
- Radon physics and entry mechanisms into the building.
- Measurement techniques and instrumentation.
- Design of remedial actions (remediation).
- National and European regulations (BSS Directive).
*Always verify that the professional you turn to has the mandatory 60-hour certificate.
Radon Experts List: Where to find them?
There is no single centralized public "National Register", but various associations and regional orders maintain a list of qualified radon experts.
- Consult the lists of the National Association (Assoradon).
- Check with the Surveyors' or Engineers' Order in your province.
- Check regional ARPA portals (e.g., ARPA Veneto or Piedmont).
How is Radon Eliminated?
The main mitigation techniques adopted by experts
Soil Depressurization
Involves sucking radon-rich air directly from the ground under the building before it can enter, via a collection pit connected to an extractor fan. It is often the most effective solution for existing buildings.
Ventilated Crawl Space
Creating a ventilated air chamber between the ground and the slab (with igloos or similar). It is essential to install opposed ventilation vents to guarantee natural or mechanical "draft" of the air. The ventilated igloo crawl space is one of the most common structural solutions in new constructions.
Mechanical Ventilation (CMV)
If entry from the ground cannot be blocked, action is taken by diluting the internal concentration through Controlled Mechanical Ventilation systems with double flow and heat recovery.
Sealing Cracks and Passages
Sealing cracks, connection joints, and utility passages (water, gas, drains) is a necessary complementary intervention to reduce the "highways" for gas entry.
Pressurization
In some cases, air is introduced into the building to create a slight overpressure that counteracts the rise of gas from the subsoil ("plug" effect).
Light Wells
For basements, optimizing the opening and ventilation of light wells can help disperse the gas accumulated in the cavities adjacent to the walls.
Italian Association of Radon Professionals
Assoradon is the reference point in Italy for professionals in the sector. The association brings together qualified experts and promotes the culture of prevention and correct application of regulations. It plays a crucial role in the continuous training and technical updating of its members.
IRSOIL: The Reference Event
Assoradon organizes IRSOIL, a major recurring intercomparison event dedicated to radon measurements in soil and water. During this annual event, laboratories from all over Italy and professionals gather at a "radon-prone" site to compare different instruments and methodologies.
Participating in intercomparisons (like the editions held in Piedmont, Lazio, and Puglia) is a guarantee of professional seriousness and instrumental precision.
From left: Beatrice Elzi, Clara, Andrea Gritti, and Gabriele Ravasio, during IRSOIL 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Insights: Times, Costs, and Guarantees
Is the intervention guaranteed?
Is it mandatory to call a qualified expert?
How long does a remediation intervention take?
Do I have to leave the house during works?
Can I seal windows myself?
When should I re-measure?
Are there tax incentives?
Who certifies that remediation worked?
What if levels don't go down?
Does remediation require municipal permits?
Is the depressurization system noisy?
Consult answers to the most common questions about radon remediation.