Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil

Effective social involvement in nuclear science and radiation protection remains a challenge, particularly in managing natural radiation exposure, such as radon gas – the largest contributor to human exposure from natural sources. This paper addresses the first Brazilian attempt to actively engage t...

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Main Authors: Danila Carrijo da Silva Dias, Wanilson Luiz Silva, Nivaldo Carlos da Silva, Paloma França Machado, Adriano Mota Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR) 2025-07-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2869
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author Danila Carrijo da Silva Dias
Wanilson Luiz Silva
Nivaldo Carlos da Silva
Paloma França Machado
Adriano Mota Ferreira
author_facet Danila Carrijo da Silva Dias
Wanilson Luiz Silva
Nivaldo Carlos da Silva
Paloma França Machado
Adriano Mota Ferreira
author_sort Danila Carrijo da Silva Dias
collection DOAJ
description Effective social involvement in nuclear science and radiation protection remains a challenge, particularly in managing natural radiation exposure, such as radon gas – the largest contributor to human exposure from natural sources. This paper addresses the first Brazilian attempt to actively engage the public in a 6-month indoor radon monitoring campaign in Poços de Caldas, a region with high natural radioactivity. The study aimed to raise awareness and foster voluntary participation through a communication campaign, incorporating educational content, strategic messaging, and both virtual and in-person engagement. Despite a modest voluntary participation rate of 17%, the study found strong commitment among participants and demonstrated the effectiveness of local partnerships, digital tools, and community-driven efforts. The findings underscore the importance of tailored communication strategies and collaborative engagement to overcome barriers in public health initiatives, suggesting a need for culturally appropriate approaches to radon risk management in Brazil. Future work should focus on refining engagement strategies and assessing long-term impacts to ensure sustainable public participation in radon exposure control.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2319-0612
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)
record_format Article
series Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
spelling doaj-art-e6c83acf156d4cc5824cd5a1382e95362025-08-20T03:30:55ZengBrazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences2319-06122025-07-0113310.15392/2319-0612.2025.2869Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil Danila Carrijo da Silva DiasWanilson Luiz SilvaNivaldo Carlos da SilvaPaloma França MachadoAdriano Mota FerreiraEffective social involvement in nuclear science and radiation protection remains a challenge, particularly in managing natural radiation exposure, such as radon gas – the largest contributor to human exposure from natural sources. This paper addresses the first Brazilian attempt to actively engage the public in a 6-month indoor radon monitoring campaign in Poços de Caldas, a region with high natural radioactivity. The study aimed to raise awareness and foster voluntary participation through a communication campaign, incorporating educational content, strategic messaging, and both virtual and in-person engagement. Despite a modest voluntary participation rate of 17%, the study found strong commitment among participants and demonstrated the effectiveness of local partnerships, digital tools, and community-driven efforts. The findings underscore the importance of tailored communication strategies and collaborative engagement to overcome barriers in public health initiatives, suggesting a need for culturally appropriate approaches to radon risk management in Brazil. Future work should focus on refining engagement strategies and assessing long-term impacts to ensure sustainable public participation in radon exposure control. https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2869Radon exposure, public engagementhealth communicationbehavioral changecommunity participation
spellingShingle Danila Carrijo da Silva Dias
Wanilson Luiz Silva
Nivaldo Carlos da Silva
Paloma França Machado
Adriano Mota Ferreira
Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
Radon exposure, public engagement
health communication
behavioral change
community participation
title Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
title_full Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
title_fullStr Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
title_short Effective social participation in radiation protection: a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in Brazil
title_sort effective social participation in radiation protection a necessary approach to indoor radon programs in brazil
topic Radon exposure, public engagement
health communication
behavioral change
community participation
url https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2869
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