European Radon Day takes place every year on 7 November, the date Marie Skłodowska-Curie was born. It was established by the European Radon Association (ERA) to raise awareness about the health risks of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. The theme for 2025 is “How did Marie Curie Change your Life? The Legacy of Marie Curie.”
Marie is a two-time Nobel Prize winner. Together with her husband, she discovered the chemical element radium, and one of its decay products is radon. Therefore, the day is significant as it gives the ERA the opportunity to promote a radon community which has been established to make the wider public and businesses aware of the inherent health implications of sustained exposure to the gas.
Radon is a radioactive gas that is odourless, colourless and tasteless. Radon enters buildings through cracks and joints and, therefore, can lead to increased radon concentrations indoors. It is estimated that one in ten lung cancer cases in Europe is due to indoor radon exposure. Deaths from Radon related lung cancer can be considerably reduced through radon awareness and implementing good practices, such as the annual testing of properties by homeowners, landlords, and employers, and subsequently acting upon the findings.
The purpose of European Radon Day is to:
The day is supported by national health agencies, environmental organizations, universities, and local authorities across Europe who hold events, campaigns, and educational activities to mark the day.
On the ERA website we have many resources available for you to download if you require more information, including publicly available documents and resources from many European countries. To access regulatory information and guidance for your own specific national authority, follow this link.
José-Luis Gutiérrez Villanueva, Secretary of the ERA, said: ““European Radon Day is important as it not only provides a platform for the European radon community to share its message and educate the public about the need to measure and mitigate radon, but also honours the legacy of Marie Curie. Her discovery of radium, the element from which radon originates through radioactive decay, laid the foundation for our understanding of this invisible gas. Awareness of radon and its health risks is gradually increasing across Europe, but there’s still work to do. By continuing to collaborate with national and local authorities, we aim to make sure everyone understands the importance of testing for and reducing radon exposure”
The ERA is a non- profit International Organisation registered under Belgian law (number 549.923.484). It has been formed to serve the interests of the European radon community.
