Review of existing #protocols to #measure #radon in different countries

1. Protocols for radon testing
J.L. Gutierrez-Villanueva
Radonova laboratories AB, Uppsala (Sweden)
Protocols for radon testing
J.L. Gutierrez-Villanueva
Radonova laboratories AB, Uppsala (Sweden)

2. 1. RADON GAS: Fundamentals

3. • Radon is …….
No more repetitions on what radon is. We all know

4. EUROPEAN CODE AGAINST CANCER
ways to reduce your cancer risk 12
1 Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco.
2 Make your home smoke free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace.
3 Take action to be a healthy body weight.
4 Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting.
5 Have a healthy diet:
Eat plenty of whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits.
Limit high-calorie foods (foods high in sugar or fat) and avoid sugary drinks.
Avoid processed meat; limit red meat and foods high in salt.
6 If you drink alcohol of any type, limit your intake. Not drinking alcohol is better
for cancer prevention.
7 Avoid too much sun, especially for children. Use sun protection. Do not use
sunbeds.
8 In the workplace, protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following
health and safety instructions.
9 Find out if you are exposed to radiation from naturally high radon levels in your
home. Take action to reduce high radon levels.
10 For women:
Breastfeeding reduces cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of certain cancers.
Limit use of HRT.
11 Ensure your children take part in vaccination programmes for:
Hepatitis B (for newborns)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) (for girls).
12 Take part in organized cancer screening programmes for:
Bowel cancer (men and women)
Breast cancer (women)
Cervical cancer (women).
The European Code Against Cancer focuses on actions that individual citizens can take to help prevent cancer.
Successful cancer prevention requires these individual actions to be supported by governmental policies and actions.
Find out more about the European Code Against Cancer at: http://cancer-code-europe.iarc.fr
This project is co-financed by the European Union and coordinated by the specialized cancer agency of the
World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

5. 2. New legislation

7. THE NEW DIRECTIVE EURATOM BASIC SAFEY STANDARDS
Ø This document introduces radon gas into the system of radiological protection for the first time
Ø The council of European Union issued the final document in January 2014
Ø It aims to offer better protection for both: public and workplaces
Ø Radon reference levels: 300 Bq m−3
Ø Occupational exposure arrangements in workplaces
> 6 mSv y−1: Situation to be managed as a planned exposure situation
≤ 6 mSv y−1: Exposures need to be kept under review
Ø Establishment of a national radon action plan

8. THE NEW DIRECTIVE EURATOM BASIC SAFEY STANDARDS: NAP (National Action Plan)
List of 14 items to be covered:
Ø Estimation of indoor radon concentrations (indoor radon surveys, radon in soil gas surveys)
Ø Criteria to identify areas with high radon exposure
Ø Reference levels: dwellings and workplaces
Ø To assign responsibilities in the administration
Ø Strategies to reduce radon exposure: prevention, remedial actions
Ø Revisions and updates of the action plan
Ø Strategy to communicate radon risk
Ø Guidance on methods
Ø Financial support

9. 3. Radon measurement protocols in Europe

10. Radon in Europe
But … be very careful
when using maps

11. Radon in Europe
Measurements density is
VERY important !!

12. Planned, or recently new radon reference levels:
• Germany 300 Bq/m3
• Finland from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3 (existing buildings), new buildings still
200 Bq/m3
• UK 300 Bq/m3 in workplaces
• Belgium from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3
• Austria from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3 (new buildings 200 Bq/m3 )
• Czech Republic from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3 (new buildings 200 Bq/m3 )
• Spain 300 Bq/m3 (previous 600 Bq/m3 in workplaces)
• France from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3
• Switzerland from an action level of 1000 Bq/m3 to a reference level of 300
Bq/m3
Reference levels

13. Reference levels
Private dwellings
In private dwellings, actions will not be mandatory if the reference level is
exceeded. However, the highest radon exposure usually occur in private
dwellings.
Public buildings and multi-family houses
Authorities can require measurements and mitigation.

14. Reference levels
Work places
§ Authorities can require measurements and actions.
§ The implementation of the new BSS will make new regulations
concerning workplaces.
§ If radon dose from radon exposure will exceed 6 mSv, the situation
should be handled as a planned exposure situation.

15. A reference level could be exceeded if it is not possible to get below it.
However, actions must be made if it is not possible to get below a reference
levels.
For radon, the reference level should not be higher than 300 Bq/m3 (both
dwellings and workplaces)
Some European countries already have reference levels below 300 Bq/m3
(Sweden 200 Bq/m3 , UK 200 Bq/m3 in dwellings, Ireland 200 Bq/m3 , Norway
action level 200 Bq/m3 - reference level 100 Bq/m3)
Reference levels

16. Ø Requirement of ISO 17025 accreditation for “official approved”
measurements. In Sweden, accredited measurements is required if radon
mitigation grant should be obtained.
Ø UK: measurement services must be validated by PHE
Ø Finland: measurement services must be approved by STUK, requirements to
provide calibration data.
Ø US & Canada: detectors and devices must be approved and listed,
measurement services must be approved by AARST or CARST
Ø Switzerland: Measurement services must be approved. Required
intercomparison tests every second year.
Regulations for radon measurement providers

17. • Measurements during the heating season (Scandinavia, Switzerland)
• Seasonal correction factors (UK, Norway, Ireland)
• At least two detectors (Sweden, UK)
• Placement in living areas
• In multifamily houses, more flats on the lowest floor but some
measurements on every floor
Measurement protocols for dwellings

18. In workplaces, schools and public buildings the radon levels are usually lower when the areas are
occupied (better ventilation during that time).
• A first screening long-term measurement should be performed
• If the screening measurement is above the action level, a follow-up measurement for a shorter
time could be useful to determine what the radon levels are during working hours. A follow-up
measurement could be performed with a continuous monitor (CRM) or a passive detector which
can be turned on and off.
• From the follow-up measurement a “working level”/”total level” factor can be obtained with
which the result from the first screening measurement is multiplied (Norway/Canada)
• If the “total level” result from the follow-up measurement agree with the screening
measurement, the “working level” result can be used (Sweden)
• There are different requirements in different countries concerning have many measurements
(detectors) must be performed in a workplace
Measurement protocols for workplaces/public buildings

19. • The measurements should be performed as long-term measurements meaning a
measurement period of at least three months
• The measurements should be analyzed by a laboratory which is accredited to the ISO
17025 or NELAC standards.
• Rooms/areas which are occupied on a regular basis for more than 4 hours a day.
• All underground/basement rooms/areas and other rooms, where there is a significant risk
of major radon entry, which could be used by individuals for more than 50 hours per year
(about one hour per week).
• Basement and ground floor: Measure in all rooms/areas which fulfill the criteria above.
For larger rooms and spaces, place at least on detector per 150 m².
• On higher floors: At least two detectors per floor and at least one detector per 250 m².
Industrial radon measurement guideline for
workplaces (IRMA 0791-30)

20. 4. Conclusions

21. 1.- New scenario after implementation of EURATOM BSS in Europe
3.- The following countries have a protocol to describe how to measure radon (WP’s):
Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, UK, Slovakia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
2.- Most countries have adopted or will adopt 300 Bq m-3 as RL
4.- Minimum requirements to assess radon exposure at work place: Industrial radon
measurement guideline for workplaces (IRMA 0791-30)
5.- MEASURE, MEASURE AND MEASURE

22. José - Luis Gutiérrez Villanueva PhD. Specialist radon measurement advisor
E-mail: joseluis.gutierrez@radonova.com
Phone: +46709368312
Thank you very much for your patience