Radiation Pekka Vuorinen Finnish Association of Construction Product Industries RTT
Mandate M/366 - description Work Package 5: horizontal standards: emission scenarios in indoor air 3. Horizontal standard on the measurement of radiation from construction products 45. For the preparation of this horizontal standard Radiological Protection Principles concerning the Natural Radioactivity of Building Materials Radiation Protection shall be taken into account. Radiation Protection 112 guidance by DG Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection 1999 Measurement of radiation from construction products included in the CEN work May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 2
Brief history 1 Description in the work programme of CEN/TC 351, as drafted by CEN/BT WG 176 in June 2005 and confirmed by CEN/TC 351 (CEN/TC 351 N 0026): WI 11 Construction Products Assessment of release of dangerous substances Measurement of radiation This horizontal standard describes the measurement of radiation and radioactive emissions from construction products. Note: Prior to the development of the standard, a state-of-the-art document will be developed depending on the outcome for WI 1 (Barriers to trade). The document will be used to decide on further steps. Financing in the 2nd phase of mandated work of CEN/TC 351 May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 3
Brief history 2 The CEN/TC 351 Resolution in Malta April 2006: Assessment of release of dangerous substances decides to retain Work Item 11 on the programme of work, but that the Chairman will raise with the Commission Expert Group on dangerous substances, reservations from CEN/TC 351 on the present need for this item to be more precisely described. Commission EGDS / June 2006: With regard to radiation, the expert group came to the conclusion that while radiation might only be a requirement for a small number of construction products, some MS consider this as a relevant aspect of ER3 and they have a strong interest in there being harmonised test methods. The limited number of existing test methods and the similar approach of these methods should allow TC 351 to provide fast results. Therefore, TC 351 will work on this item of its work programme. May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 4
Brief history 3 Relevant substances, as mentioned in the Indicative list of regulated dangerous substances possibly associated with construction products under the CPD (DS 041/051 rev8) (CEN/TC 351 N 0054) To be elaborated in the state of the art document May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 5
Brief history 4 CEN/TC 351 Resolution in Berlin Nov 2006: CEN/TC 351 decides to create an Ad-Hoc group to establish a paper on the subject of radiation. The paper should give recommendations for the title and scope of the work item and the need for a Working Group (or other structure), to be presented at the next meeting of CEN/TC 351. CEPMC offered to provide (through a NSB) a convener for the AHG and nominations for members of the AHG should be provided to the CEN/TC 351 Secretariat by December 15, 2006. First (and only) AHG Radiation meeting in March 2007 Background discussion on the issue Drafting of a proposal for CEN/TC 351 meeting (May 2007) discussion and decision a way forward May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 6
The proposal (CEN/TC351 N 084) Main points: TG Radiation state of the art CEN/TR report (within 1 year) Existing regulation and testing methods Relevant guidance (Radiation Protection 112) and different studies Gamma emission and alpha exhalation (radon) Relevant construction products (groups/families) Applicability of WT/WFT concepts New WG to derive appropriate horizontal European test methods? CEN/TC 351 Resolution in London, May 2007: CEN/TC 351 accepts the report of the AHG Radiation (document N 0084), thanks the members of the AHG for their work and agrees to the formation of TG 6 on Radiation to prepare a State of the Art document, the task group to be convened by Mr Pekka Vuorinen, with NEN as the secretariat. Experts to the Core group and the Consultation group of TG 6 may be nominated to the CEN/TC 351 secretariat with NEN. May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 7
Radiation of CPs problem or not Radon concentration indoors Cembureau Report: Radon and radioactivity in buildings (Feb 1996) May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 8
Radiation of CPs problem or not Average yearly radiation dose 3,7 msv in Finland Average radon concentration indoors 120 Bq/m³ in Finland Problem of soil and poor structural solutions Regulatory target value 200 Bq/m³ in new buildings In some EU MSs radon background values very low, at levels of some CPs In the case of radon radiation problem of CPs in most cases originates from what is compared to what May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 9
Thank you for your attention! RTT welcomes CEN/TC 351/TG 3 and CEN/TC 351/WG 1 to Helsinki in June! May 24, 2007 Pekka Vuorinen, RTT 10