radon in work 7.10.03.

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Typical Entry Routes How is radon in the workplace How many detectors are required for a

2866 - October 2003

into a Building measured? workplace survey?
In order to satisfy the requirements of S.I. No. 125 of 2000 it is The recommended number of detectors per workplace is based on the
necessary to measure the average radon concentration in the total floor area to be surveyed and on the workplace type
workplace over a continuous three-month period using a
measurement technique approved by the RPII. This can be done • For individual office type workplaces, one detector should be used
simply and inexpensively using passive diffusion devices such as CR- per office
39 radon detectors. Detectors are normally forwarded to the • For open plan office type workplaces, one detector should be used
workplace and returned to the measurement service for processing for every 200 m2
by post. Placement within the workplace can be carried out in-house. • For large workplaces such as warehouses or workshops, one
detector should be used for every 400 m2
• A minimum of two radon measurements should always be made in
Who can make workplace radon any workplace.
measurements?
Measurements must be carried out by a measurement service The RPII has produced more detailed guidance entitled “Planning Radon
approved in accordance with S.I. No. 125 of 2000. This means that Surveys in Workplaces - Guidance Notes”. These notes are available on
measurement services based in Ireland should hold “INAB the RPII website or directly from the RPII and should be consulted when
6 Accreditation” issued by the National Accreditation Board. In the planning radon surveys in large or complex workplaces.
8
7
case of a measurement service whose principal place of business is
5 6 another EU Member State, the service must be approved by the
3
4
1. Through cracks in walls relevant competent body in that State. A list of approved radon Information:
2. Through cracks in solid floors
measurement services is available on the RPII website (www.rpii.ie). For general information on radon in workplaces contact the Radiological R A D I AT I O N I N W O R K P L A C E S
1 3. Through cracks in walls below ground
4. Through gaps in suspended timber floors Protection Institute of Ireland
2
5. Through cavities in walls
6. Through construction joints
7. Through gaps around service pipes
Should every room in a Telephone: 01 269 7766
What is it?
8. Through cracks in service ducts building be tested? Fax: 01 269 7437
The primary purpose of carrying out a radon survey in a workplace E-mail: radoninwork@rpii.ie What harm can it do?
is to assess the concentration of radon to which workers are liable Website: www.rpii.ie
to be exposed during their working day. Since most radon enters a What are an employer’s responsibilities?
building from the ground below through cracks and gaps in the
floor, ground level and basement rooms are likely to have the
highest radon concentrations. Normally, therefore, a radon
workplace survey should cover all workspaces located on the
ground floor and basement levels in which workers spend a
substantial amount of their working day. Areas that are occupied
infrequently such as corridors, washrooms, toilets, storerooms
etc. need not be measured for radon.

3 Clonskeagh Square, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14.

Tel 01-269 7766. Fax 01-269 7437
E mail: radoninwork@rpii.ie
Website: www.rpii.ie
radon in work 7.10.03.qxd 17/10/03 12:07 pm Page 5
What is the Radiological Protection
Institute of Ireland?
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is the
national organisation with regulatory and advisory responsibilities
in matters relating to ionising radiation. This responsibility includes
implementation of legislation introduced in 2000 to regulate
exposure to radon in the workplace.
What is radon?
Radon is an inert, naturally occurring, radioactive gas. It has been
classified by the International Agency for Research into Cancer,
which is part of the World Health Organisation, as a Class A
carcinogen. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and can only
be measured using specialised equipment. Radon comes from the
radioactive decay of uranium, which is present in small quantities
in all rocks and soils. Because it is a gas, radon can move freely
through soil enabling it to enter the atmosphere or seep into
buildings. Radon which escapes into the open air is quickly diluted
to harmless concentrations, but when it enters a building it can
sometimes accumulate to unacceptably high concentrations.
How does radon get into buildings?
Radon from the ground gets into buildings mainly through cracks
in floors or gaps around pipes or cables. The concentration of
radon indoors depends mainly on the building construction and
the way in which the building is used. Radon concentrations in
neighbouring buildings or in neighbouring rooms in the same
building can be very different.
Why is exposure to radon
considered dangerous?
Radon decays to form tiny radioactive particles, some of which
remain suspended in the air. When inhaled, these particles can be
deposited in the airways and attach themselves to lung tissue.
They then give a radiation dose which may damage cells in the
lung and eventually lead to lung cancer. Exposure to indoor radon
is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and is estimated
to account for approximately 10% of lung cancers in Ireland.
In what units is radon
concentration measured?
Radon concentration is measured in becquerels per cubic metre of
air (Bq/m3). The becquerel is a unit of radioactivity and
corresponds to one radioactive disintegration per second. The
average indoor radon concentration in homes in Ireland is
estimated to be 89 Bq/m3.
Are all parts of Ireland
at equal risk?
No. A comprehensive survey of radon in homes, covering all
counties in Ireland, has been carried out by the RPII. The results of
this survey were used to identify High Radon Areas where it is
predicted that more than 10% of homes will have radon
concentrations above 200 Bq/m3. Maps, showing these High
Radon Areas, have been produced for each county and are
available on the RPII website (www.rpii.ie).
A direct comparison between radon concentrations in homes
and workplaces is not possible. However, it is assumed that
radon concentrations in workplaces will follow a similar
geographical variation to that found for homes and therefore
workplaces with high indoor radon concentrations are more
likely to be located in High Radon Areas. It should be noted,
however, that high radon concentrations may be found in
individual buildings in any part of the country.
RPII radon laboratory
Is radon in the workplace subject
to legal controls?
Yes. The Ionising Radiation Order, 2000 (Statutory Instrument No.
125 of 2000), which was made under the Radiological Protection
Act, 1991, sets down regulations for the protection of workers from
occupational exposure to radon gas. In addition, the Safety, Health
and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, which is implemented by the Health
and Safety Authority, requires employers to identify all hazards in the
workplace. Radon is one such hazard.
What are an employer’s
responsibilities under legislation
governing radon in the workplace?
Statutory Instrument. No. 125 of 2000 (S.I. No. 125 of 2000) sets a
Reference Level for workplaces of 400 Bq/m3 averaged over any three-
month period. Where it is shown that this Reference Level is
exceeded, the employer must take measures to protect the health of
workers. S.I. No. 125 of 2000 also empowers the RPII to direct
employers to have radon measurements carried out in their workplace.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, requires
employers to identify hazards in the workplace, assess the risk to
health and safety from these hazards and put in place measures to
eliminate or reduce the risk. In order to assess the risk from radon,
the Health and Safety Authority has stated that all indoor workplaces
in High Radon Areas must have radon measurements carried out.
Is radon an issue only
in High Radon Areas?
No. Workplaces with radon concentrations above the Reference
Level can be found in any area of the country. Mines, show caves
and other underground workplaces are particularly at risk and
should be measured for radon. For other workplaces not located in
a High Radon Area, employers are urged to take a pro-active
approach and consider having radon measurements carried out.
What measures must an employer
take if the radon concentration in a
workplace has been shown to
exceed the Reference Level?
Where the measured radon concentration exceeds the Reference
Level, the employer must evaluate if remedial measures should be
taken to reduce workers’ exposure to radon. This evaluation should
take account of guidance issued by the RPII. In most cases
remedial measures will involve the implementation of
modifications to the building to prevent the accumulation of radon.
In recent years a considerable body of experience on such
modifications has been built up, and a range of effective and
relatively inexpensive techniques for reducing indoor radon
concentrations is now available.
Radon detector