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===SubSection===National authorities should:*have a reasonable understanding of indoor radon exposures across the country*develop a national radon protection strategy The '''national radon protection strategy''' should be straightforward and realistic, and be considered in conjunction with other public health policies, such as energy saving, non-smoking, and indoor air quality. It should address exposures in new and existing buildings, aiming to reduce:*the overall exposure of the general population*the highest individual exposures To help guide action, '''authorities should set a national reference level''' for indoor radon levels:*ICRP recommends setting a national reference level [[Fundamental Principles of Radiological Protection|'''as low as reasonably achievable''']] in the range of 100–300 [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]].*WHO guidance is basically the same: a national reference level of 100 [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]] is recommended, and wherever this is not possible, the chosen level should not exceed 300 [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]].
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Introduction
==Section 1Radon Recommendations for Authorities==
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'''National authorities have an important role to play in reducing radon levels.'''
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==Section 2Radon Recommendations for Workplaces==
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'''Employers have an important role to play in reducing radon levels.'''
In most workplaces, exposure to radon is treated the same as in other buildings, by taking measurements, comparing radon levels to [[Radon Recommendations for Authorities|national reference levels for indoor radon]], and taking action if necessary.
In some workplaces, where levels are above the [[Radon Recommendations for Authorities|national reference levels for indoor radon]], doses to workers should be assessed, and protection should be [[Fundamental Principles of Radiological Protection|optimised]].
Where, despite all reasonable measures, doses to workers may exceed 10 mSv per year, employers should use protection requirements for [[Exposure Categories and Situations|occupational exposure]].
Requirements for [[Exposure Categories and Situations|occupational exposure]] also apply in a few specific workplaces. Which ones is often decided by the national authority. A common example is uranium mines.
The occupational [[Dose Limits|dose limit]] should apply when the national authorities consider that the radon exposure should be managed as a [[Exposure Categories and Situations|planned exposure situation]].
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==Calculating Radon Doses==
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'''Radon levels (in [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]]) are used directly to control radon levels in homes and most workplaces. However, sometimes it is necessary to calculate the effective dose due to radon exposure for some workplaces.'''
ICRP develops [[ICRPædia Guide to Dose Coefficients|dose coefficients]] to simplify the calculation of [[Absorbed, Equivalent, and Effective Dose|equivalent dose and effective dose]] for inhaled or ingested radionuclides.
In simplest terms, calculating the dose from inhaling radon involves multiplying the average radon level (e.g. in [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]]) by the time spent, and the right [[ICRPædia Guide to Dose Coefficients|dose coefficient]].
<center> ''[[Absorbed, Equivalent, and Effective Dose|Effective dose]] = radon level × time × [[ICRPædia Guide to Dose Coefficients|dose coefficient]]'' </center>Using the [[ICRPædia Guide to Dose Coefficients|dose coefficient]] for most circumstances of occupational exposure, breathing air with 50 [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]] of radon (a typical worldwide value in buildings) for one year at work (2000 hours) gives an [[Absorbed, Equivalent, and Effective Dose|effective dose]] of 0.7 mSv. For working indoors doing substantial physical activity, or for exposures in tourist caves, the recommended [[ICRPædia Guide to Dose Coefficients|dose coefficient]] is higher, so breathing air with 50 [[Radon: Units of Measure|Bq/m<sup>3</sup>]] of radon for one year at work gives an [[Absorbed, Equivalent, and Effective Dose|effective dose]] of 1.4 mSv.
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