bmnt gv at Radon Protection in Austria Christina
bmnt. gv. at Radon Protection in Austria Christina Raith Austrian Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism Vienna, 15 th of January 2019
bmnt. gv. at Contents • Radon Mapping • Radon in Dwellings − Existing Buildings − Future Buildings • Radon at Workplaces • Radon Information 2
bmnt. gv. at Administrative Structure and Competences in Austria Federal State: • i. a. health matters 9 Provinces • i. a. building legislation Districts and Municipalities • i. a. enforcement of building legislation 3
bmnt. gv. at Average Annual Radiation Exposure in Austria Occupational exposure < 0, 005 m. Sv Chernobyl accident, nuclear testing < 0, 01 m. Sv Use of ionising radiation and radionuclides in research, industry etc < 0, 02 m. Sv Inhalation of radon 1, 5 m. Sv Medical exposure 1, 7 m. Sv (Non-occupational) exposure to natural radiation (cosmic and terrestrial) 1 m. Sv Ingestion of natural radionuclides 0, 3 m. Sv total 4, 5 m. Sv 4
bmnt. gv. at Contents • Radon Mapping • Radon in Dwellings − Existing Buildings − Future Buildings • Radon at Workplaces • Radon Information 5
bmnt. gv. at Legal Basis § 38 b Str. Sch. G (Radiation Protection Act): since 2004, amended in 2015 • Collection of all available data on radon concentrations in dwellings (in a central database) • Creation of map material to show areas with elevated radon concentrations and information of the public • Recommendations on how to reduce radon exposure in dwellings • Development and regular update of a national radon action plan with the aim to reduce radon risk in dwellings 2006: Establishment of the National Radon Centre of Austria at the Austrian Health Agency (AGES) 6
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping - First Steps • 1990: 90/143/Euratom Recommendation • 1992: Recommendation by the Austrian Radiation Protection Commission: - Reference level for existing buildings of 400 Bq/m³ Design level for planned buildings of 200 Bq/m³ Radon map to show radon prone areas in Austria Guidelines for preventive and remedial actions Information of the public • Austrian National Radon Projekt (ÖNRAP) 1992 -2002 - Evaluation of indoor radon concentrations in Austria - Identification of regions/areas with elevated radon levels Development of the first Austrian radon map 7
bmnt. gv. at Austrian National Radon Project (ÖNRAP) • Measurement of indoor radon concentration • Measurement density proportional to population density • Random selection of dwellings (by telephone book/directory) • Two measurements in each house/flat (in the two mainly used rooms) • Questionnaire (properties/characteristics of the house, habits of the residents etc) • Use of different measurement systems • Short and long term measurements extrapolation to annual mean radon concentration (incl. seasonal correction) • Results depicted on a municipal level 8
bmnt. gv. at Austrian National Radon Project - Results • Measurements in approx. 8. 000 dwellings • Evaluation of criteria associated with high indoor radon levels • Calculation of the `radon potential´ : annually-averaged radon concentration in a `standard situation´ (common room on the ground floor, no cellar, not built of stone, two adults, less than 2 children etc. ) • Radon potential of a municipality = average of radon potentials of all measured dwellings in a municipality • Radon map: 3 classes information about importance of measurements, recommendations for preventive actions or remedial actions (graded approach) • 500 municipalities in class 3 (elevated radon potentials of above 400 Bq/m³) 9
bmnt. gv. at First Austrian Radon Map (2004 – now) 10
bmnt. gv. at Online Query Link: www. radon. gv. at 11
bmnt. gv. at Radon Situation in the 9 Provinces Province Mean (Bq/m³) Median (Bq/m³) Oberösterreich 164 82 Tirol 128 73 Steiermark 116 64 Kärnten 107 75 Niederösterreich 104 68 Burgenland 72 45 Salzburg 71 53 Wien 49 41 Vorarlberg 48 41 Austria 102 61 Data from the Austrian National Radon Projekt (ÖNRAP) 1992 -2002 12
bmnt. gv. at Reasons for a New Austrian Radon Map Uncertainties in the current radon map: • Not many measurements per muncipality (approximately 3 -5 houses/flats) • Different measurement systems • Combination von short and long term measurements • Geology was not taken into account Aim: reliable data basis for identification of `radon areas´ (= areas with higher probability to exceed the national reference level) 13
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping Today • Measurement of indoor radon concentration all over Austria (individual measurement campaign for each province) • Aim: approx. 70. 000 measurements (in 35. 000 dwellings) • Conducted by the National Radon Centre of Austria, funded by the BMNT • Start in 2014 • End of measurements in 2019 • Modelling ongoing • 2019: new radon map (identification of radon areas) 14
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping - Strategy • Measurement of indoor radon concentration • Selection of dwellings with regard to grid cells, geology and municipalities (not weighted by population) • One measurement system (nuclear track detectors) • Measurement time 6 months (half summer, half winter) • Two measurements in each house/flat (in the two mainly used rooms) • Questionnaire (properties/characteristics of the house, habits of residents etc) • Measurements in homes of members of the voluntary fire brigade (pros: many members, cost efficient, hierarchic structure, multipliers) • Participants get the result of the measurement in their homes 15
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping – Selection of Houses for Measurement Houses of members of the fire brigade Grid (2 x 2 km) 1 -3 houses/cell – dependent on geological zone in the cell House of a member Selected houses 2 x 2 km grid Geological map of Austria Municipal boundary (at least 12 houses/ municipality) Geological units (1: 500. 000)
bmnt. gv. at Exemplary Course of a Measurement Campaign • Initial contact with the province and the head of the voluntary fire brigade • Information of the fire chiefs through the head of the brigade • Austrian Radon Centre selects approx. 17 houses per municipality from anonymised members data base (only by coordinates; according to above criteria) • Residents of the selected homes confirm their participation • Mailing of detectors, questionnaires, information material to the fire chiefs distribute among members • Collection of the detectors and questionnaires after 6 months of measurement time by the fire chief and return to Austrian Radon Centre • Data evaluation 17
bmnt. gv. at Impressions of a Measurement Campaign
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping - Modelling • Aim: creation of a statistical model to predict indoor radon level in a `standard house´ in a certain area • Evaluation of the impact of relevant factors on indoor radon concentration, e. g. building characteristics: − Room/building in contact with soil, cellar − Year of construction, construction material 19
bmnt. gv. at Radon Mapping: Outlook • New Austrian Radiation Protection Act: identification of areas where the radon concentration (as an annual average) in a significant number of buildings is expected to exceed the relevant national reference level (radon areas) • Customised information measures in the different areas • Different duties for affected groups (graded approach ) e. g. homeowners, people who want to build a house, companies with ‚radon workplaces‘ 20
bmnt. gv. at Contents • Radon Mapping • Radon in Dwellings − Existing Buildings − Future Buildings • Radon at Workplaces • Radon Information 21
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Existing Buildings § 38 b Str. Sch. G (Radiation Protection Act): • Creation of map material to show areas with elevated radon concentrations and information of the public • Recommendations on how to reduce radon exposure in dwellings Technical Standards: • ÖNORM S 5280 -1 (2017): Radon - Part 1: Metrological tasks and evaluation • ÖNORM S 5280 -3 (2005): Radon - Part 3: Remedial measures on buildings • ÖNORM B 3692 (2014): Design and execution of waterproofing for buildings 22
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Existing Buildings • Information about importance of radon measurements • Only a measurement can give information about the actual radon situation in a room/building • Since 2014: BMNT bears the costs for radon measurements in private homes as long as questionnaire is completed and data can be used for radon mapping • Remedial actions generally more expensive than preventive measures (500 – 5. 000 Euro) • Some provinces provide funding for remediation in case of very high indoor radon levels (> 1. 000 Bq/m³) 23
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Existing Buildings 24
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Future Buildings § 38 b Str. Sch. G (Radiation Protection Act): • Creation of map material to show areas with elevated radon concentrations and information of the public • Recommendations on how to reduce radon exposure in dwellings Technical Standards: • ÖNORM S 5280 -1 (2017): Radon - Part 1: Metrological tasks and evaluation • ÖNORM S 5280 -2 (2017): Radon - Part 2: Structurally engineered preventive measures for buildings • ÖNORM S 5200 (2009): Radioactivity in construction materials • ÖNORM B 3692 (2014): Design and execution of waterproofing for buildings 25
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Future Buildings • Building law is competence of the provinces • Guidelines of the OIB (Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering) serve to harmonise the construction engineering regulations around Austria issued by the OIB and adopted by the provinces into their building law. • 2007: OIB guideline 3: rooms are to be constructed in such a way that the user‘s health is not affected by ionising radiation from building materials or radon emission from the ground (soil gas) • Adopted by all provinces 26
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Future Buildings • Preventive measures are easy and cost-efficient. • Cost for preventive measure: 200 -2. 500 Euro (in the course of (re)construction or general renovation) • Some provinces provide funding for preventive measures in case the house is in a class 3 area (radon map) 27
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Future Buildings 28
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Future Buildings: Workshop for Experts 29
bmnt. gv. at Radon in Homes – Outlook • New Austrian Radiation Protection Act: national reference level for indoor radon concentration: annual averaged activity concentration of 300 Bq/m³ • Further revision of technical standards • Revised version of the OIB guideline 3 • Intensified training of building authorities, building experts and civil engineers • Information, counselling, support and funding(? ) for the people concerned 30
bmnt. gv. at Contents • Radon Mapping • Radon in Dwellings − Existing Buildings − Future Buildings • Radon at Workplaces • Radon Information 31
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces – Regulation and Standards §§ 36 d -36 f Radiation Protection Act and Natural Radiation Sources Ordinance Technical Standards: • ÖNORM S 5280 -1 (2017): Radon - Part 1: Metrological tasks and evaluation • ÖNORM S 5223 -1 (2007): Estimation of the dose due to work activities involving materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides - Part 1: Methods • ÖNORM S 5223 -2 (2008): Estimation of the dose due to work activities involving materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides - Part 2: Dose evaluation • ONR 195223 (2009): Method for determination of the proportion of natural radon level (geogenic radon background) in the dose occurring during work with natural radioactive matter 32
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces - Introduction • Radon measurements are required in − Workplaces in radon areas, that are located on the ground floor or basement level − Specific types of workplaces • Optimisation • Notification when the national reference level is exceeded (despite optimisation measures) 33
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces – Specific Types of Workplaces • Council Directive 96/29/Euratom: work activities where workers and members of the public and exposed to thoron or radon daughters or gamma radiation • early 2000 s: Amendment of Radiation Protection Act and new Natural Radiation Sources Ordinance (Nat. Str. V) § 2 Nat. Str. V - working areas with potentially increased exposures to radon-222: (a) installations for the extraction, treatment, storage, and distribution of water in which radon may emit from the water into the indoor air and in which at least one worker is present for more than 25 h per year; (b) underground working areas in mines, shafts, galleries, tunnels, and caves, if there is no ventilation complying with the state of the art and the legal requirements (c) mines and caves open to visitors; (d) radon spas and health resorts where at least one worker spends more than 120 h per year in areas where radon treatment takes place 34
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces – Regulation • National reference level for indoor radon concentration in workplaces: annual averaged activity concentration of 300 Bq/m³ • Designation of ‘radon areas ’ • Workplaces in radon areas and ‘special’ workplaces throughout Austria (e. g. waterworks) equally regulated • Authorized laboratories provide support for companies and authorities: - Measurement of radon concentration - Dose estimation - Dose assessment 35
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces – Key Points • Radon concentration > reference level dose estimation and obligation for notification • Effective dose below 6 m. Sv/a: − Information of the workers • Effective dose above 6 m. Sv/a: − Dose assessment for affected workers − Radiation/radon protection measures − Radon protection officer (no permanent presence required) • Graded deadlines for re-evaluation 36
bmnt. gv. at Radon at Workplaces – Outlook • Information and involvement of provinces, stakeholders and lobbies • Information of the affected companies and organisations • Transition period after radon areas are announced • Transitional provisions for those companies who were within the scope of the Nat. Str. V and will be regulated by the new law 37
bmnt. gv. at Contents • Radon Mapping • Radon in Dwellings − Existing Buildings − Future Buildings • Radon at Workplaces • Radon Information 38
bmnt. gv. at Raising Awareness: Radon Risk Communication Not only informing the people but raising the public awareness which ultimately leads to actions Radon Risk Communication Strategy: • Communication goals • Key messages • Target groups • Communication channels • Evaluation of effectiveness and efficiency 39
bmnt. gv. at Raising Awareness • Target group specific information (for members of the public, authorities, building experts, and employers) • Provinces: organisation of seminars, information of authorities (f. e. mayors), provision of funding 40
bmnt. gv. at Raising Awareness • Cooperation with civil protection associations • Linking with other important issues e. g. anti-smoking campaigns, (lung) cancer information, indoor air quality seminars 41
bmnt. gv. at Raising Awareness • Radon folders, articles in magazines and newspapers • Internet and new media as a communication channel: interactive radon presentation, short radon video Homepage: www. radon. gv. at E-Mail: radonfachstelle@ages. at Telephone: +43 50555 41800 42
bmnt. gv. at Raising Awareness 43
bmnt. gv. at Positive Experiences and Lessons Learnt • Already many activities in Austria, lots of information available • Awareness: especially in the area of radon in dwellings people need to be motivated to put knowledge in action • Early involvement of and open and transparent communication with provinces, stakeholders etc. 44
bmnt. gv. at Thank you for your attention! Danke für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit! Christina Raith Austrian Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism christina. raith@bmnt. gv. at
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