Situation on Radon Assessment in Latvia Žanna Martinsone Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga Stradins University, LATVIA e-mail: Zanna.Martinsone@rsu.lv Regional workshop on Radon in Workplaces as an Element of a National Radon Action plan Tallinn, 23.05. 27.05., 2016 1
Content of presentation Legislation Data of Radon assessment in Latvia* (report) *Contracting: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia; Performer: Ltd, Geo Consultansts, 2015; http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/publ/petijumi/petijumi_vide/?doc=15514 Radon action plan in Latvia Radon assessment in the workplaces Challenges for Radon assessment in the workplaces 2 2
Legislation on Radon exposure in Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 149 (Adopted 9 April 2002) Regulations for Protection against Ionising Radiation 125. If it is determined that the average specific radioactivity of radon in a building is more than 200 Bq/m 3 per year, the owner of the building or apartment shall inform the tenant andtheradiationsafetycentre thereof (if the level of radon has been determined by an accredited laboratory). The Centre shall inform the population of the expected damage to their health and jointly with the owner or tenant of the building or apartment decide regarding the taking of protection measures for reduction of the harmful effect of radon. 4 3
Legislation (2) 126. If it is determined that the average specific radioactivity of radon in a building is more than 1000 Bq/m 3 at the moment the measurement is made or 600 Bq/m 3 on average per year, the owner or tenant of the building or apartment shall immediately take protection measures. 4
Legislation (3) 128. The commissioner, designer and performer of construction works shall be responsible for ensuring that the average specific radioactivity of radon in the newly erected building or apartment does not exceed 200 Bq/m 3 per year. Note: There is no controlling mechanism in Latvia! 5
Legislation: Radon in the workplaces 135. If the average specific radioactivity of radon in aboveground and underground workplaces is higher than 400 Bq/m 3 per year, the employer shall ensure protective measures for reduction of the harmful effects of radon at workplaces and shall not permit employment of pregnant women at the workplaces referred to during the whole period of pregnancy. 6
Legislation: Radon in the workplaces cont. 136. If it is impossible to reduce the specific radioactivity of radon to 400 Bq/m 3 the workplace shall be equivalent to a place where operations with sources of ionising radiation are carried out and the employer shall apply to the relevant employee the protection measures prescribed for workers by these Regulations. 7
Legislation: Natural Sources of Ionising Radiation in Water 137. The Centre shall inform the population and the territorial local governments of the potential damage to public health and the protection measures for reduction of the harmful effects of radon if the specific radioactivity of radon in drinking water is 100 Bq/l 1000 Bq/l. Drinking water where the specific radioactivity of radon is higher than 1000 Bq/l shall not be used if protection measures for reduction of the harmful effects of radon have not been taken. 8
Data from report: Forecasts Map of Radon Risk in Latvia (2014) 9 9
Legends of Radon Risk Level 10 10
Data from report: Forecasts Map of Radon Risk in Latvia (2014) 11 11
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Data from report: Forecasts Map of Radon Risk in Latvia (2014) 13 13
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Data from report: Forecasts Map of Radon Risk in Latvia (2014) 15 15
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Previous data 90-ies in Latvia Sweden project The Indoor Radon Situation in Latvia was tested Rn222 in living rooms and in workplaces (n=245):»in 51 buildings Rn > 100 Bq/m 3 (21 %),»in 13 buildings Rn > 200 Bq/m 3 (5,3 %),»In 4 buildings Rn > 300 Bq/m 3 (1,6 %). 17
Radon action plan in Latvia According to 2013/59/EURATOM (05.12.2013.) Radon concentration in the buildings and workplaces: - 1000 Rn detectors, 500 buildings (at least 100 dwellings) - 2 detectors for 1 building; location in ground floor (living room or bedroom) - volunteers - survey includes information about building, building materials, ventilation etc. Radon measuarements in public buildings and workplaces under discussion. 18
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Radon measurements in the workplaces Lack of data about Rn concentrations (doses) in workplaces in Latvia. Institute has equipment for Rn measurements in air, soil and use sniffing mode (for detection of source). 20
Occupational risks assessment in Latvia Assessment of occupational risks is manditory at each workplace in Latvia Occupational risk assessment includes also evaluation of premises, work proceses, equipment etc. Occcupational risk assessment shall be done 1 per year Evaluation of risk is based to surveys and/or measurements (8 h exposure, results compare with OEL). Employer is responsible for preventive actions in case of high risk at workplace. Z1 21
Slide 21 Z1 Zanna, 2016-05-26
Challenges for occupational exposure assessment List of workplaces with potential high radon exposure (cooperation with State Labor inspectorate, Occupational Safety and Health specialists etc.) Common procedure for Rn measurements in workplaces Assessment of occupational exposure based to longterm (passive) measurements Personal sampling devices! (Individual dosimeters) Cooperation between ministries, agencies, inspections etc.. 22
Thank You for Your Attention and Welcome to Riga (Latvia)! 23