Measuring radon (private homes/workplaces)

There are several techniques available for measuring radon. Similarly, the measurement period can range from a just few minutes to several months. The Radiation Protection Division (Division de la radioprotection) provides a service to measure radon concentrations in the air in buildings in Luxembourg. These measurements are carried out between October and late April/early May, over a period of approximately three months. They are carried out using an exposure meter (see photo).

Private homes

In the case of private homes, any household can apply to the DRP to have them measure the concentration of radon in the air in their home. To do so, they simply need to fill out this application form (Pdf, 459 Kb). The household will be sent a kit containing two exposure meters, and a questionnaire on the characteristics of the building. One exposure meter is placed on the lowest inhabited floor, preferably on the ground floor (reference floor) in the most frequently used room, and the other is generally placed in a bedroom. After the measurement period, the meters are returned to the DRP, which will calculate the average concentration of radon in the air. For Luxembourg resident, radon concentration measurements and analyses are provided by the Health Directorate (Direction de la santé) free of charge.

_{Photograph of an exposure meter used by the DRP for measuring radon concentrations in the air.}

Workplaces

In the case of workplaces, monitoring radon concentration levels has been mandatory in Luxembourg since 2019. The DRP has published a guide to measuring radon in the workplace as a source of information to help employers comply with the new legislation.