Warren John

Effectively addressing radon and NORM exposure requires not just scientific progress but a strategic, transdisciplinary approach to transferring knowledge into practice through stakeholder engagement and policy integration. Therefore, to maximise the impact and sustainability of the radiation protection outputs created in the RadoNorm project, an integrated and participatory communication framework was designed. The framework enabled the flow of knowledge across scientific, policy, and public domains through the tailored outreach tools, while wide visibility was ensured through digital platforms, and meaningful public involvement through initiatives such as the Citizen Science Incubator and the European Radon Behavioural Atlas. The RadoNorm project also elevated engagement of stakeholders in the research process from end-users to contributors by shifting the paradigm from one-way dissemination to co-creation, leading to enhanced trust, relevance, and long-term usability of results. RadoNorm's replicable model for "how complex research can be translated into societal value", i.e., fostering inclusion, transparency, and ethically responsible science communication, should be an integral part of future projects. Namely, by full-scale incorporation of communication and engagement activities developed in the RadoNorm project, by ensuring that all data are openly available in repositories, like the STORE database, and by utilisation of the interdisciplinary teams that incorporate social and behavioural expertise, the usability and sustainability of the created results in any future projects are ensured.

RadoNorm has come a long way since its inception, in addressing and managing risks for radon and NORM. The output of the project has been substantial in generating new findings and developing novel methodologies and tools. At the same time, the project has been translating its results into recommendations, which have been published as deliverables and scientific publications, and communicated to various stakeholders through its annual meetings, monthly webinars and the most recent RadoNorm Showcase Meeting held in Brussels. This review aims to produce a comprehensive summary of RadoNorm results and recommendations until this point (June 2025) as well as the recent discussions at the RadoNorm Showcase Meeting in March 2025, where the results were presented to a variety of stakeholders including the radiation research platforms. The results are presented under the themes of “health effects and risks”, “exposure and mitigation” and “risk communication and societal aspects”. RadoNorm has performed a comprehensive assessment of what has been achieved and what future questions have arisen from the latest results of the project, which are also elaborated upon herein and addressed as challenges for the European radiation research platforms to assimilate into their research portfolios.

Early career researchers, professionals, and scientists (ECRs) are essential to the future of radiation protection, a field that increasingly relies on interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. In line with the principles outlined in the Vancouver Call for Action for Radiation Protection Researchers, an ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) initiative, this article explores the current landscape for ECRs through the lens of survey data, initiative outcomes, and the establishment of the Early Career in Radiation Protection Network (ECRad). Drawing on a Europe-wide survey of 47 ECRs, the study identifies key areas of concern: while there is strong intrinsic motivation to remain in the field, perceived feasibility is often hampered by job insecurity, fragmented institutional support, and lack of structured mentorship. Although most respondents participate in existing networks such as ICRP, EURADOS, and IRPA, many reported unmet expectations, particularly in mentorship, sustained peer interaction, and accessible professional development. The formation of the RadoNorm Early Career Researcher Council (ECRC) responded directly to these gaps, demonstrating that self-organized, ECR-led initiatives can significantly enhance a sense of belonging and interdisciplinary engagement. However, structural barriers – such as time, funding, and short-term project support – persist, echoing the Vancouver Call for Action’s call for improved education, training, and retention. In conclusion, while considerable progress has been made in addressing the needs of ECRs in radiation protection, gaps that threaten the long-term vitality of the field remain. The findings affirm the urgency of coordinated action among institutions, networks, and funding bodies to invest in and empower the next generation of radiation protection professionals.

In this study, we investigated the interaction of U(VI) and Eu(III) with Brassica napus suspension plant cells as a model system. Concentration-dependent (0–200 μM) bioassociation experiments showed that more than 75% of U(VI) and Eu(III) were immobilized by the cells. In addition to this phenomenon, time-dependent studies for 1 to 72 h of exposure showed a multistage bioassociation process for cells that were exposed to 200 μM U(VI), where, after initial immobilization of U(VI) within 1 h of exposure, it was released back into the culture medium starting within 24 h. A remobilization to this extent has not been previously observed. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to correlate the bioassociation behavior of Eu and U with the cell vitality. Speciation studies by spectroscopy and in silico methods highlighted various U and Eu species over the course of exposure. We were able to observe a new U species, which emerged simultaneously with the remobilization of U back into the solution, which we assume to be a U(VI) phosphate species. Thus, the interaction of U(VI) and Eu(III) with released plant metabolites could be concluded.