Elevated Indoor Radon Concentrations: Risks and safety measures as presented by mass media in Slovenia Metka Kralj and Irena Daris, ARAO, Slovenia / Nadja Železnik, REC, Country office Ljubljana, Slovenia / Claire Mays, Institute SYMLOG de France, France / Tanja Perko, SCK-CEN, Research Centre Mol, Belgium Observations and proposals regarding reporting about indoor Frequently used words associated with reporting radon made by the National Dialogue Group of project EAGLE about elevated radon concentrations in schools and kindergartens in Slovenia … deadly gas radon is menacing children ... Representatives of mass media Representatives of governmental … danger from poisonous gas radon ... administration bodies … consequences can be fatal ... not enough infographics available, radiation issues (e.g. concentration … radon is causing cancer ... reaction time of professionals is to limits) are not discussed by … inhaling radon is like smoking ... long, professionals but by members of … radon is threatening our children ... general public, the concepts are not journalists prefer to communicate … big risk for radiation exposure ... directly with professionals and not clarified, … children are victims of a crime ... with PR staff, radiation reference levels proposed … teachers and parents are shocked ... by different international bodies, professionals/primary information … extremely high radon concentrations ... sources should have some communi- standards and recommendations are variable, Reported mitigation measures usually do not match cation training to better understand these grave words, e. g. the needs of media, media should also provide the … the problem will be solved by regular ventilation of explanation of situation, not only a classrooms ... clear conclusions about effective short statement, … cracks in the basement will be sealed ... sanation measures are usually lacking. exact wording is very important. Main features of media reports about Both agree elevated radon concentration in some governmental institutions, and not professionals or journalists, are primarily schools in Slovenia accountable for public information about natural background radiation, governmental institutions have to be more proactive in communication It is the news that is important – not standard regarding human exposure to ionizing radiation in natural environment; natural conditions. journalist that cover ionizing radiation issues need additional training about News about ionizing radiation = news about danger and health risks. Sensationalistic / emotional reporting style is prevalent. Style of reporting reduces trust in professionals. Indoor radon concentration in Slovenia is very variable, and can exceed 1000 Bq/m3 in karst areas. Reference level of indoor radon concen- tration is 400 Bq/m3. Partners of EAGLE project wish to express their acknowledgement to European Commission for financing the project in years 2013-2016 in the frame of EURATOM, and thus enabling the cooperation between different institutions from different EU countries and realizing this interesting .