Protecting the Future
Radon Gas in Schools: Absolute Priority
Children are the most vulnerable to ionizing radiation exposure: their rapidly growing tissues and higher respiratory rate expose them to significantly greater risk than adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Italian D.Lgs 101/2020 classifies schools among priority locations for measurements, mandating strict and timely controls to ensure healthy classrooms where our children spend most of their day.
The Health of the Youngest
Why monitoring in schools cannot be postponed
Greater Biological Sensitivity
Children are much more sensitive than adults to the harmful effects of radiation. Their rapidly growing tissues and longer life expectancy significantly increase the likelihood that DNA damage today will become a serious disease (lung cancer) in adulthood.
Exposure Time
Students and teachers spend many hours a day (often 6-8 hours) inside school buildings. If classrooms are not properly ventilated or are in direct contact with the ground, radon gas accumulation can reach concerning levels, turning the school into an unhealthy environment.
D.Lgs 101/2020: Focus on Schools
What School Principals and Administrations Must Do
Art. 17 and 18: Education and Childhood
Italian regulations identify schools as equivalent workplaces, but with a higher level of attention given the presence of minors who are particularly vulnerable to ionizing radiation. Articles 17 and 18 of D.Lgs 101/2020 establish specific obligations for school buildings of all levels, from nurseries to universities. The importance of school monitoring is confirmed by technical institutions; as highlighted by ARPA FVG, thousands of checks have already been carried out in institutes to ensure the safety of students and staff, confirming that schools must be a priority place for prevention. The legislator has recognized that protecting student health is an absolute priority requiring timely intervention and adequate resources.
School Principal Responsibility
The School Principal, equated to an Employer under D.Lgs 81/2008 (Consolidated Safety Act), has the legal obligation to assess all health risks for workers (teachers, administrative staff) and students, including radon risk. They cannot delegate this responsibility to third parties. They must formally request the Property Owner to immediately begin measurements and, if the 300 Bq/m³ threshold is exceeded, push for remediation works. In case of non-compliance, the Principal may be held personally liable in both civil and criminal proceedings for health damages resulting from prolonged exposure to radon gas. Jurisprudence has already established significant precedents regarding School Principal liability.
Property Owner Responsibility
The Property Owner of the school building has clear and non-waivable financial obligations: they must allocate funds for annual measurements with certified dosimeters and for any structural remediation work. For primary and middle schools, the Property Owner is typically the Municipality; for high schools, it is the Province or Metropolitan City. Lack of budget funds is not an acceptable justification for non-compliance with health and safety requirements: ministerial and regional funds dedicated to school building safety can be requested. See our complete national regulations guide for details on sanctions, which can reach up to €15,000 in fines.
Strict Deadlines and Timelines
Schools located in Priority Areas (identified by Regions based on territorial geological characteristics) must complete the first radon assessment within 18-24 months from entry into force of the National Radon Plan (PNAR) or publication of regional priority area lists. Monitoring must be performed on an annual basis, with at least two consecutive semesters of measurement to obtain a representative average. It is essential not to wait any longer and immediately start monitoring with ACCREDIA-certified passive dosimeters: delays expose the institution to sanctions and, above all, put the health of hundreds of children at risk.
Nurseries and Semi-Basement Gyms
The most critical areas of school buildings
Ground Floor Nurseries
Nurseries and kindergartens are almost always on the ground floor for safety and evacuation reasons. This makes them structurally more exposed to gas rising from the ground compared to upper floor classrooms.
Gyms and Locker Rooms
Often school gyms and their locker rooms are located on semi-basement floors. These premises, if not adequately ventilated, can become real pockets of radon accumulation.
Canteens and Cafeterias
Canteens, often located on lower or basement floors, also require constant monitoring, being high-density gathering places.
What to Do if Radon is High?
Remediation procedures in schools: effective solutions without interrupting classes
Non-Invasive Interventions: First Line of Defense
In many schools it is possible to significantly reduce radon levels without complex structural work. Enhanced natural ventilation (regular window opening, installation of ventilation grilles) and mechanical controlled ventilation (MCV) can lower gas concentration by 30-50%. Additionally, crack sealing in floors, around utility penetrations and at junctions with perimeter walls prevents gas entry from below. These interventions are quick (a few days), economical (often under €5,000) and do not require classroom closure. For moderate concentrations (300-500 Bq/m³), they are often sufficient to bring values below threshold.
Sub-Slab Depressurization Systems (SSD)
For high concentrations (above 500-600 Bq/m³) or when light interventions are not enough, active depressurization systems are used. Radon sumps (usually external to the building) are installed, connected to an extractor that creates a slight depression in the subsoil, extracting gas before it rises into classrooms. This intervention is permanent (effectiveness over 90%), requires minimal maintenance (annual fan check) and does not involve invasive work inside the school. Works can be done during summer holidays, ensuring full educational continuity.
Over-Pressurization and Other Specialized Techniques
In special cases (historic buildings, complex configurations), alternative techniques can be employed such as controlled over-pressurization of indoor spaces, which prevents gas entry by creating slightly positive pressure relative to the subsoil, or radon barriers in crawl spaces with impermeable membranes. The choice of the most suitable technique depends on a thorough building analysis by a Radon Remediation Expert, a qualified professional who designs and certifies the interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions for Schools
Answers for Parents and School Staff
How can I know if my child's school is safe?
Parents have the right to ask the School Principal or School Board whether mandatory radon measurements have been carried out and to view them through access to records. The school must make measurement results available.
Who pays for measurement and remediation?
The property owner (Municipality for primary and middle schools, Province/Metropolitan City for high schools) is required to allocate funds for both annual measurements and structural safety improvements when limits are exceeded.
Is there immediate danger if radon is high?
Radon risk is linked to long-term exposure (years). There is no immediate acute danger, but it is essential to intervene promptly to reduce future cumulative risk, especially for children who are more sensitive.
Are chemicals used for remediation?
No. Radon remediation is purely physical/mechanical (ventilation, extraction, sealing). No chemical substances are introduced into classrooms and the interventions pose no risk to students.
Does the school need to close during measurement?
Absolutely not. Passive dosimeters are small devices (like plastic boxes), silent and harmless. They are placed in strategic classroom positions and do not interfere with teaching activities at all. Measurements typically last one year.
What is the radon limit for schools?
D.Lgs 101/2020 sets the limit at 300 Bq/m³ as an annual average for existing buildings. For new school constructions (from 2025) the limit drops to 200 Bq/m³. WHO recommends even lower values (100 Bq/m³).
What happens if the school exceeds the limits?
If annual measurements exceed 300 Bq/m³, the School Principal must immediately notify the Property Owner and initiate remediation procedures. The Owner must fund interventions within 2 years. In the meantime, temporary measures such as increased ventilation may be adopted.
How do I choose the measurement laboratory?
The laboratory must be ACCREDIA accredited or recognized by ISIN (National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety). Dosimeters must be certified and comply with technical standards. Beware of offers with measurements lasting only a few days: the law requires annual or semi-annual measurements.
Can the school be sanctioned?
Yes. Failure to comply with measurement and remediation obligations exposes the School Principal (as Employer) and the Property Owner to administrative and criminal penalties under Art. 205 of D.Lgs 101/2020, with fines up to €15,000 or arrest.
Who trains school staff on radon risk?
Training falls under general workplace safety obligations. The Principal can organize informational sessions with qualified experts. Regional environmental agencies (ARPA) and ISS also provide educational materials. Awareness is fundamental for proper risk management.
School Safety
Ensuring healthy air for our students is a civic and legal duty.