THE ITALIAN SURVEY AS THE BASIS OF THE NATIONAL RADON POLICY

One of the most important goals of the Italian survey, initiated in 19 89, was to promote ad hoc policies to reduce radon exposure of the pop ulation. In the survey a statistical representative sample of 5000 dwe llings was chosen; two six-month measurements were made of the indoor radon concentration, in combination with one six-month measurement of gamma exposure. The results of the radon concentration measurements ar e reported here: they refer to 80% of the sample. The annual mean valu e was 81.5 Bq.m(-3), which is higher than that reported for other indu strialised countries. The survey was widely accepted by the families a nd provided an opportunity to collect information on Families and thei r habits, as well as on the characteristics of the dwellings. The data will make it possible to evaluate the number of houses above a given level. It is up to the political authorities to define such a level on the basis of these data and the economic and social factors.