Difference between revisions of "Radon For Governments and Employers"

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[[File:ICRPGuide.JPG|150px|thumb|right|link=Guide_to_Radon_demo|Take me back to the ICRP's [[Guide_to_Radon_demo|Guide to Radon]]!]]
 
[[File:ICRPGuide.JPG|150px|thumb|right|link=Guide_to_Radon_demo|Take me back to the ICRP's [[Guide_to_Radon_demo|Guide to Radon]]!]]
 
Introduction
 
Introduction
==Section 1==
+
==Radon Recommendations for Authorities==
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 +
'''National authorities have an important role to play in reducing radon levels.'''
  
===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>]].
  
 
'''[[#Top|Back to Top]]'''
 
'''[[#Top|Back to Top]]'''
  
==Section 2==
+
==Radon Recommendations for Workplaces==
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 +
'''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]].
 +
 +
'''[[#Top|Back to Top]]'''
 +
 +
==Calculating Radon Doses==
 +
</br>
 +
'''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.
 
'''[[#Top|Back to Top]]'''
 
'''[[#Top|Back to Top]]'''
 +
  
 
[[File:ICRPGuide.JPG|50px|link=Guide_to_Radon_demo]]Take me back to the ICRP's [[Guide_to_Radon_demo|Guide to Radon]]!
 
[[File:ICRPGuide.JPG|50px|link=Guide_to_Radon_demo]]Take me back to the ICRP's [[Guide_to_Radon_demo|Guide to Radon]]!

Revision as of 16:00, 1 October 2019

Take me back to the ICRP's Guide to Radon!

Introduction

Radon Recommendations for Authorities


National authorities have an important role to play in reducing radon levels.

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 as low as reasonably achievable in the range of 100–300 Bq/m3.
  • WHO guidance is basically the same: a national reference level of 100 Bq/m3 is recommended, and wherever this is not possible, the chosen level should not exceed 300 Bq/m3.

Back to Top

Radon Recommendations for Workplaces


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 national reference levels for indoor radon, and taking action if necessary.

In some workplaces, where levels are above the national reference levels for indoor radon, doses to workers should be assessed, and protection should be optimised.

Where, despite all reasonable measures, doses to workers may exceed 10 mSv per year, employers should use protection requirements for occupational exposure.

Requirements for 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 limit should apply when the national authorities consider that the radon exposure should be managed as a planned exposure situation.

Back to Top

Calculating Radon Doses


Radon levels (in Bq/m3) 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 dose coefficients to simplify the calculation of 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 Bq/m3) by the time spent, and the right dose coefficient.

Effective dose = radon level × time × dose coefficient

Using the dose coefficient for most circumstances of occupational exposure, breathing air with 50 Bq/m3 of radon (a typical worldwide value in buildings) for one year at work (2000 hours) gives an effective dose of 0.7 mSv. For working indoors doing substantial physical activity, or for exposures in tourist caves, the recommended dose coefficient is higher, so breathing air with 50 Bq/m3 of radon for one year at work gives an effective dose of 1.4 mSv.

Back to Top


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More In-Depth Information


If you are looking for something more extensive look no further below are a collection of related links and articles that can provide more information on this topic!

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References

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