Beyond Communication and Risk in a Post-Pandemic World: A Survey on Radon in Spain

This study addresses the construction and perception of risk and the role of the news media through a case study on radon gas, a carcinogenic, persistent hazard with a significant impact on public health, which typically flies under the radar of public opinion. The research is based on a survey (N = 1985) that targeted residents of Spain aged 18 or older. We evaluated cognitive and contextual factors, media consumption, and awareness of radon communication actions and developed a model to explain individual risk perception. The population’s knowledge about the different aspects of the risk of radon gas is moderate and uneven. A key element is the level of radon incidence among Spain’s autonomous communities. The main factors that explain the perception of radon risk are one’s perceived likelihood of being affected by radon, followed by gender and cognitive factors. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between media-disseminated information and public knowledge, but a weaker correlation between such information and protective actions, which are more closely tied to interpersonal and local communication. This study provides insights into addressing new societal risks and will help to create communication tools and analyses that avoid panic and promote responsible actions during crises.