National Radon Programme and Radon Action Plan Karen

National Radon Programme and Radon Action Plan Karen Haroyan Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (TSO of Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority) Tel/Fax: + 374 10 541719 K. Haroyan@nrsc. am, info@nrsc. am Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Content Ø Demography and radon sources Ø Legislation Ø Radon survey Ø National Radon Programme Ø Radon Action Plan Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Demography and radon sources q Total land area: ~ 29 743 km 2 q Population: ~ 3. 000 q Regional structure: 10 regions + Yerevan q Geological features of possible relevance to indoor radon or thoron: Armenia is mountainous country (75%) q Special construction or buildings usage characteristics of possible relevance to indoor radon: granites and tuff. Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Legislation Law on Safe Utilization of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes (Atomic law) q adopted in 1999 q amended in 2000, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013 The law settles relations concerned with q state regulation of atomic energy utilization field q the purpose to protect personnel, public and environment Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Legislation Decrees q GD № 1219 as of 18 August 2006 on approval of “Radiation Safety Norms” § Chapter XV: Public exposure q GD № 1489 as of 18 August 2006 on approval of “Radiation Safety Rules” § Chapters XVI, XVII: Public and Personnel exposure from natural radiation sources Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Legislation “Radiation Safety Rules” § Public exposure from natural radiation sources While siting for the construction of the residential and public buildings the natural gamma-radiation dose rate should not exceed 0. 3 μSv/h and land surface radon flux density should not exceed 80 m. Bq/m 2 x s Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Legislation “Radiation Safety Norms” § Public exposure The target reference level for radon in existing dwellings is 300 Bq/m 3 The target reference level for radon in new dwellings is 100 Bq/m 3 The reference for radon remediation in existing dwellings is 200 Bq/m 3 Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Radon survey Some activities related to radon survey in Armenia were carried out in the Soviet time (before 1991) Excluding these activities, it can be summarized, that the “Radon program” in Armenia “just” starting Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Radon survey IAEA Support Upgrading National Capabilities for Monitoring and Regulatory Control of Public Exposure to Radon in Armenia Expert mission (in 2009) in the frame of the RER 9/094 OBJECTIVE: Establishment of radon monitoring program in buildings throughout the Armenia and upgrade the national capabilities to control the public exposure to radon Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

Radon survey IAEA Support 400 Alpha track detectors were sent to Armenia from Sweden company “GAMADATA” by the support of IAEA in the frame of the RER 9/094 in 2010 and 400 detectors in 2011. Region I step II step Total Yerevan 59 62 121 Armavir 31 19 50 Ararat 25 20 45 Kotayq 37 37 74 Aragacotn 37 32 69 Shirak 25 31 56 Tavush 30 32 62 Gexarqunik 38 44 82 Syuniq 41 34 75 Lori 43 51 94 Vayoc Dzor 27 30 57 147 measurements > 200 Bq/m 3 Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan European Commission (EC) project Institutional building of Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) INSC A 3. 01/10 & A 3. 01/12 (AR/RA/0506) Main outputs q Recommendations for improvement of regulations q Development of: q q q National Radon Program (NRP) Radon Action Plan to implement the NRP Public information strategy Methodology for long-term radon measurements Information leaflet for public Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Content Introduction Overall objective of programme International recommendations Legal background Roles and responsibilities General strategy to reduce radon concentration in existing and new buildings 7. Long-term policy 8. References Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Introduction • Short description of noble gases radon (Rn 222) and thoron (Rn 220) • Some statistic information from international organizations • Internationally recommended reference levels • Five key messages from WHO “Handbook on Indoor Radon. A public health perspective” for NRP Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Overall objective of programme Aims and goals • NRP is aimed to reduce the overall population and individual risk • Final goal of NRP is to evaluate the magnitude of radon problem and take necessary measures to control the public exposure to radon Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Overall objective of programme • Collection of available information on radon related issues • Revision and adoption of existing regulations • Communication and public awareness • Radon protection of buildings Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø International recommendations q IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency q Fundamental safety principles q GSR part 1 and Part 3 q SSG-32. “Protection of the public against exposure indoors due to radon and other natural sources of radiations” q ICRP – International Commission of Radiation Protection q Publication 103, 65, 115 (ICRP 2010), 126 (ICRP 2014)” q European Commission q EC “Council directive 2013/59/EURATOM” q World Health Organization (WHO) q “Handbook on Indoor Radon. A public health perspective” Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Legal background National regulations relevant to radon, public and personnel exposure to natural radioactivity, reference levels and limits… Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Roles and responsibilities Involved organizations and their roles and responsibilities q q q Regulatory Body Ministry of Health Ministry of Urban Development National academy of science. Research centers and institutes State metrological institute Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø General strategy to reduce radon concentration in existing and new buildings q Introduction to Radon Action plan q Upgrade of regulations and legislation q Radon measurement and other relevant data q Communication and awareness q Building protection q Time frame q Current situation assessment q Initiation of the first national radon survey q Expected outcome of the national survey Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø Long-term policy The long term policy includes activities related to: q Financial aspects of “Radon Action Plan” q Building protection q Radon corrective actions q Radon preventive measures q Radon remediation q Distribution and redistribution (if necessary) of roles and responsibilities of organizations involved Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan National Radon Program Ø References List of documents and basis used in the NRP Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Content 1. Introduction 2. Phase-I: First assessment of the radon risk in country ü Processes (5) and according sub processes 3. Phase-II: Preparatory phase for RAP ü Processes (2) 4. Phase-III: RAP implementation 5. Phase-IV: RAP realisation 6. Management of RAP 7. Financing the “Action Plan” tasks 8. Appendix: Process descriptions, required actions, responsibilities, outcomes and timeframe Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø Phase-I: First assessment of the radon risk in country ü Process 1. Review of available information ü Process 2. Development of methodologies for initial population weighted screening ü Process 3. Initial survey ü ü ü Design of the survey Elaboration of first information leaflets Carrying out the initial survey ü ü ü Public communication Evaluation and communication of the survey result Preparation and distribution of information on levels of radon indoor and the associated health risk ü Process 4. Organization of data keeping and mapping ü Process 5. Elaboration of information leaflets Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø Phase-II: Preparatory phase for RAP ü Process 1. Organizational issues ü ü Establishment of “radon working group” or “national radon centre” Establishment of “national radon laboratory” Revision of existing and development of new regulations Find out relevant organizations to develop applicable and effective corrective actions (CA) and preventive measures ü Process 2. Implementation of CA and PM Respective organizations should develop corrective actions (CA) for already existing buildings with high radon concentration and preventive measures (PM) for new buildings Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø Phase-III and IV: RAP implementation and realization ü Development of measurement protocols and methodologies ü Upgrading the regulations (radiation protection, public health, building code) ü Establishment of national radon database ü Establishment of training system and train the professionals for measurements and building professionals ü Development of radon map ü Development of methodology to identify the radon prone areas ü Realization of CA and PM accompanied with their effective verification Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø Management of RAP ü The RAP should be periodically updated according to implementation results of each phases and processes ü All amendments of RAP should be justified, agreed with the interested institutions and focused on improvement of RAP for particular phases and processes. ü All RAP activities (already implemented and/or planned for implementation) and corresponding results should be reported to government, interested authorities and public Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø Financing the “Action Plan” tasks The funding should ensure: ü Development of appropriate methodologies for performing radon surveys ü Purchasing of special equipment for radon measurements ü Ensuring sufficient laboratory space and personal ü Performing initial radon surveys of the territory of Armenia, development of maps and data base ü Organization of public communication and awareness issues ü Revising the existing regulations Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

NRP and Radon Action Plan (RAP) Ø The process descriptions, required actions, responsibilities, outcomes and timeframe Phase I Process Action required Responsibility Outcome Timeframe … … Phase III … … Regional WS on experiences of corrective and protective radon measures, IAEA, RER/9/136 -1701370, Yerevan, Armenia, 23 - 27 October, 2017

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