National strategy for radon in Norway

Transcription

1 National strategy for radon in Norway Jelena Mrdakovic Popic, Maria Larsson and Bård Olsen Radon national action plan workshop Paris, 30. sept. -2. oct. 2014

2 Content Radon in Norway National strategi for reduction of radon exposure Achieved results Lessons learned

3 Radon in Norway The indoor radon concentrations in Norway are among the highest in Europe Geology Radium rich soil and bedrock Highly permeable unconsolidated sediments Climate Construction of buildings Household water from borehole wells

4 Radon in Norway The populations weighted annual mean radon concentration -88 Bq/m 3 10 % of the housing stock - annual mean radon concentration > 200 Bq/m 3 About 300 new cases of lung cancer due to radon About 70 % of these lung cancer cases radon < 200 Bq/m 3

5 Radon in Norway overview The first radon surveys -1970s and 1980s Mines Dwellings First recommendations for radon in dwellings -1980s National radon survey cooperation between NRPA and municipalities (158) 2000 to 2003 Norwegian multi-sector working group for radon 2007 to 2009 New recommendations and a new national strategy 2009

6 National radon strategy The Norwegian government adopted its national strategy for reducing radon exposure July 2009 The strategy is harmonised with the recommendations of the WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon Two strategic goals The Government will: - Work towards reducing radon levels in all buildings and premises to below the stated limits - Contribute to reducing radon exposure in Norway as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)

7 Sub-strategies Sub-strategies all have separate goals and suggested initiatives: Illustrasjon: Statens strålevern/monica Egeli Radon in land planning Radon and the construction of new buildings Radon in existing dwellings Norwegian communities exposed to especially serious radon problems Radon in buildings and premises to which the general public are admitted Radon in the workplace

8 Implementing the radon strategy The strategy states that the NRPA shall create a coordination group to follow up the strategy in period A Coordination Group was established in 2009 The coordination group consist of representatives from the sectors relevant for dealing with the six substrategies The Coordination Group serves as a forum for mutual information and harmonisation of radon-related activities

9 Achieved results

10 Legally binding limit values So far two new regulations with legally binding limit values for indoor radon concentrations have been adopted in Norway in 2010/2011: New build (in force since 2011) Schools, kindergartens and rental accommodation (in force since 2014)

11 Achieved results - substrategies Radon in land planning Radon and the construction of new buildings Radon in existing dwellings Norwegian communities exposed to especially serious radon problems Radon in buildings and premises to which the general public are admitted Radon in the workplace

12 Radon in land planning The new Planning and Building Act(2009) Radon is one of many relevant risk factors to be considered when deciding on the siting of new buildings. The municipalities are responsible. Together with the national land planning authority, the NRPA has developed guidance on how the municipalities can include radon. - If there is a choice between two otherwise quite similar areas, choose the lesser radon prone area. - Important that information about radon prone areas is available, so that necessary anti-radon measures can be done in the building process.

13 Radon in land planning Development of knowledge on radon hazard and geology Development of a map-based tool for assesing the radon hazard when planning land use at local and regional levels Identification of local areas with Ra-rich bedrock and permeabile surficial sediments Seminars at local levels about radon and land planning

14 Radon and the construction of new buildings In 1997 radon became an issue in the technical building regulations The reference level and anti-radon measures were given as recommendations In 2008 NRPA carried out a survey for radon in dwellings built after the 1997: results showed that the 1997 regulations had no or little effect

15 Radon and the construction of new buildings In July 2010 the new technical building regulations were implemented (in effect since 1 July 2011), now with a legally binding limit value and mandatory anti-radon measures Radon (1) Limit buildings 200 Bq/m shall 3 be planned and constructed with radon mitigation initiatives such that the flow of radon (into the building) is minimised. The indoor radon concentration (in the finished building) shall not be over 200 Bq/m Radon barrier against the ground. 3 (2) The following shall at least be fulfilled: a) Buildings planned for long-term occupation shall have a radon barrier Mitigation against the structures ground in the foundations which can b) be Buildings activated planned (passive for soil long-term depressurization). occupation shall have suitable mitigation structures in the foundations which can be activated (e.g. by installing an electric fan) when the indoor radon concentration exceeds 100 Bq/m 3 (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if it can be shown that it is not necessary for satisfying the demand stated in subsection (1)

16 Radon in existing dwellings Rental accomodations -Legally binding limits: Bq/m 3 as action level Bq/m 3 as maximal level for indoor radon concentrations part of new radiation protection regulations (2011), in force Activities to inform the population (proffesionals and ordinary people) about the radon and new regulations

17 Radon in existing dwellings Standard measurement protocol for radon in dwellings published (NRPA) Mapping of radon exposure Radon data base -NRPA

18 Communities with extreme radon problems Very high radon concentrations - Up to Bq/m 3 - > 99 % above 200 Bq/m 3 First radon project in 1996: Measurements, but no mitigation. - Many don t believe in the health risks - Uncertainty on efficiency of mitigation Kinsarvik, Ullensvang municipality We support a new pilot project Involvement of the local authorities and the public Measurement campaigns need to be followed up immediately with efficient mitigation Local health workers need sufficient knowlegde on radon risks and synergy with smoking in order to advise the inhabitants

19 Radon in buildings and premises to which general public are admitted Part of new radiation protection regulations (2011) Legally binding indoor radon limits for: - schools - kindergartens (in force from 1 January 2014) Action level -100 Bq/m 3 Maximum level -200 Bq/m 3 Standard measurement protocols(nrpa)

20 Radon in the workplace Working Environment Act Fully satisfactory working environment judging all factors in the working environment that may influence i.e. the employees physical health The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has published guidelines for radon in the workplace

21 Public awareness - before and now Increased public awareness about radon - The new radon regulations have resulted in increased attention from media, which has helped the NRPA to spread information about radon - Spin-off effect among people in general, as well as employers, property managers, local authorities as well as businesses dealing with radon measurement and remediation

22 Lessons learned The Norwegian strategy has increased the awareness of radon in the different authorities working with radonrelated issues. The Coordination Group serves as a forum for mutual information and harmonisation of radon-related activities. The national strategy was planned to be implemented in the five-year period ; The coordination group evaluation of work in 2014 prolongation in new 5 years period?

23 Thank you for your attention!