Radiation Protection Dosimetry Advance Access published April 15, 2014 Radiation Protection Dosimetry (2014), pp. 1–5
doi:10.1093/rpd/ncu103
THE AUSTRIAN RADON ACTIVITIES ON THE WAY TO THE NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN V. Gruber1,*, W. Ringer1, G. Wurm1 and W. Haider2 1 AGES – Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, National Radon Centre, Wieningerstraße 8, 4020 Linz, Austria 2 BMLFUW – Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Dep. V/7 – Radiation Protection, Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Wien, Austria *Corresponding author: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
THE LEGAL RADON SITUATION IN AUSTRIA
Radon has already been a subject for over 100 y in Austria. First radon measurements in water were carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century, mainly to search for radon springs for medical use. Radon measurements in air started after the Second World War. Until 1972 several thousand measurements of radon in air at workplace (caves and mines) and in homes had been carried out, but it was not until the early 1990s that a systematic and coordinated investigation of the radon situation in Austria began. In 1992, the Austrian National Radon ¨ NRAP)(1) was initiated to establish the Project (O Austrian radon map. Other main projects focused on mitigation techniques and preventive measures (SARAH)(2) and the influence of building characteristics on the radon concentration (RACODE)(3). These projects were also designed to fulfil the key points set in the radon recommendation by the Austrian Radiation Protection Commission in 1992 (see below). Since that time various studies were carried out (800 kindergartens, 350 schools, 450 town halls, several specific workplace), a lot of knowledge was acquired, radon became a topic in legislation and standards were established (see below). With the new EURATOM Basic Safety Standards (BSS)(4) it will become mandatory for all member states to design a strategy to control long-term risks from radon exposure, by establishing reference levels and setting up a ‘national radon action plan’. Therefore, Austria will revise the radon legislation and standards and gather all the gained knowledge of the last 20 y and transfer it into action by establishing a radon action plan.
Based on the 1990s publications by the European Commission(5) and International Commission on Radiological Protection(6), the Austrian Radiation Protection Commission issued a recommendation concerning ‘reference levels for indoor radon’ in 1992(7) with the key elements: (1) action level for existing dwellings (400 Bq m23) and a design level for future constructions (200 Bq m23); (2) recommendation to set up a radon potential map of Austria; (3) recommendation to set up guidelines for mitigation and prevention and (4) recommendation to inform the population. This recommendation was the only basis for radon programmes and activities until 2004, when radon in dwellings was implemented in the amendment of the Radiation Protection Law (StrSchG, Section 38b)(8), saying that the responsible ministry is legally obliged to collect all radon data in a central database and to set up radon maps to inform the public on regions with elevated radon potential and to set up recommendations to reduce exposure to radon in dwellings. All the relevant information must be made available to the public and the federal authorities. Radon at workplace is covered in the ‘ordinance on exposure due to radiation sources (NatStrV)’(9) established in 2008, as part of the implementation of the 96/29/Euratom guidelines.(10) Workplace with potentially elevated radon exposures—water works, underground workplace, show mines, show caves and radon spas (defined by federal state laws with a minimum
# The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected]
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Washington on December 2, 2014
Based on the new Euratom Basic Safety Standards (BSS), all EU member states will be obliged to design a strategy to address long-term risks from radon exposure, which is laid down in the ‘national radon action plan’. In Austria, the National Radon Centre is responsible for the development of the action plan. This paper presents the current and planned radon protection activities on the way to establish the radon action plan—like the national radon database, the definition of radon risk areas by improving the existing radon map, as well as strategies and activities to increase the radon awareness of the public and decision-makers and to involve the building sector. The impact of and the need for actions caused by the BSS requirements on the Austrian radon legislation, strategy and programme are discussed.
V. GRUBER ET AL.
THE NEW EU BSS AND THEIR IMPACT ON AUSTRIA In the new EURATOM BSS(4) for the first time radon is covered extensively in an EU directive that will be mandatory to implement in national legislation for the member states. Radon is the topic of three articles—radon in workplace, indoor exposure to radon and radon action plan; a list of items to be considered in the national action plan is annexed. For workplace as well as for dwellings and any kind of indoor exposure, the member states shall establish national reference levels, not .300 Bq m23. This might be the main point of need for action for Austria, as no national reference levels have been established so far, and the recommended action limit for existing buildings of 400 Bq m23 does not fulfil the obligation. No differentiation between new and existing buildings, as well as for different use of buildings, is specified in the BSS but left to the member states. The experts in Austria have to discuss, if the differentiation should remain in the new legislation, and what reference levels will be chosen, and in what form of legal document this should be implemented.
According to the BSS, member states shall promote action to identify dwellings exceeding the reference level and encourage radon concentration reducing measures in these dwellings. This is not covered in Austrian legislation in detail, but is addressed in the StrSchG(8) and the existing radon standards(12,13). ‘Member states should assure that local and national information is made available on indoor radon exposure and associated health risks’(4), which is covered in the StrSchG and 1992 recommendations. Measures in these fields are a key point for the future Austrian radon strategy (see below). The BSS state that member states should require that radon measurements are carried out in specific types of workplace identified in the national action plan, as well as workplace on ground floor and basement level within areas ‘where buildings are expected to exceed the national reference level’. The specific workplace (underground, others identified by risk assessment) is covered in the NatStrV in Austria, even though some revisions will be required. But measuring all workplace (and buildings with public access) in the identified ‘radon areas’ is not part of any legislation in Austria so far, and will result in a lot of mandatory measurements in the future. Resources for this must be established and responsibilities have to be clarified. One key point following the new BSS in the radon field, beside establishing reference levels, will be the identification and definition of the areas ‘where the radon concentration (as an annual average) in a significant number of buildings is expected to exceed the relevant national reference level’, as this will impact and be the basis of several (legal) decisions and future measures. All these measures and strategies should be part of the national radon action plan, which will be obligatory to have for all member states, addressing longterm risks from radon exposures in dwellings, building with public access and workplace for any source of radon ingress (soil, building materials, water). A list of issues which should be covered is set in the BSS annex0 and the action plan should be updated on a regular basis. Developing such an action plan for Austria will be a main task for the ‘National Radon Centre’ (see below), which was assigned by the responsible ministry (BMLFUW). The strategies and activities for that purpose will be discussed in following chapters. THE AUSTRIAN RADON ACTIVITIES: STATUS AND STRATEGY The National Radon Centre Based on the radiation protection law (StrSchG)(8), the National Radon Centre was established in 2006
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required radon concentration in water or air)—is listed in it. Dose evaluations in those workplaces are compulsory and workers with annual doses .1 mSv a21 are defined as occupationally exposed to radiation. An annual dose limit of 20 mSv a21 is set. The ordinance explicitly does not cover radon in dwellings or exposures caused by natural radiation background. Building legislation in Austria is under the responsibility of the federal states, but harmonisation between the different laws is attempted by so-called OIBdirectives (OIB, Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering). Since 2007 radon is addressed in the OIB-3 guideline under ‘dangerous immissions’ and refers to the 1992 recommendation(7) action levels and the radon standards (see below). Seven out of nine federal states declared this OIB guideline compulsory, so radon should be taken into account in the process of getting a construction permit. Based on the results and experience of the various radon studies done in the 1990 and 2000s, standards ¨ NORM series S 5280(11 – 13) were developed. The O covers the topics radon measurement methods and preventive and remedial measures on buildings. Additionally, radon is taken into account in the ¨ NORM S 5200(14) which ensures Austrian standard O the limitation of public exposure due to natural radionuclides in building materials (external radiation and inhalation of radon and radon progenies). The reference value for the effective total dose is set to 2.2 mSv a21, based on the average natural exposure in Austria and the 1 mSv a21 accepted additional dose for the population.
AUSTRIAN ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN
within the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), funded by the Ministry (BMLFUW). The principal aim is to coordinate the radon efforts in Austria. It serves as a platform for communication and information of authorities and the public and provides advice to authorities and stakeholders. Present tasks are to update and improve the Austrian radon potential map, to maintain the central radon database, to design the national action plan, as well as to carry out specific radon projects and to increase radon awareness by a national radon website, brochures and campaigns.
As one of the required points in the StrSchG, a central radon database has been established in the last years. The aim is to collect not only the measured radon concentration, but also all relevant information about building type, measurement, remediation and prevention measures, etc. By now 30 000 records are included in the database, with direct connection via the WWW for authorised measurement laboratories and the authorities with search and export functions. The radon potential map As discussed above identifying and defining areas with expected higher radon concentrations in buildings is fundamental for establishing legislation and future strategies. In Austria, this activity was started in the early 1990s with the Austrian National Radon ¨ NRAP) which yielded the Austrian radon Project (O potential map shown in Fig. 1. It is based on measurements in 9000 dwellings, the radon potential was calculated for a standardised situation (annual mean, ground floor, no basement, normal use—for more details see)(1). In the present radon potential map, the mean radon potential per municipality is displayed, classified in three classes. As there are
Figure 1. The Austrian radon potential map, Status 2012.
Radon prevention and mitigation measures A major goal in radon strategies is to establish radon preventive measures in building legislation. In Austria, a first step was done as radon is included in the OIB guidelines, but should become more standardised among the federal states and better implemented in practice. The strategy is efficient, but cost-effective radon preventive measures should be the standard in new buildings and should be a mandatory parameter in the process to get a construction permit for a building (similar to energy performance certificates). To transfer this strategy into practice, education of building experts, stakeholders and local authorities is necessary. Activities to provide training and information have been started such as presentations on meetings of experts and stakeholders of the building sector, letters to local authorities, stands on construction fairs and specific research projects. Currently, a study is ongoing together with a building enterprise to test the effectiveness of different preventive measures in new buildings. In the future, a kind of radon certificate for houses is planned. In the 1990s, mitigation methods were tested in typical Austrian houses within the SARAH programme(2) and the knowledge was transferred in the mitigation radon standard(13). Since then 70 private houses, schools, kindergartens and town halls have been mitigated and a project to evaluate the (long-term) effectiveness of these measures is
Page 3 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Washington on December 2, 2014
The radon database
.2,300 municipalities in Austria, the mean radon potential by municipality is often based on only a few houses. To use the radon potential map as a reliable basis for decisions, e.g. in construction permit processes for buildings, different preventive measures for buildings or for identifying workplace where measurements according to the new BSS are required, there is a need to improve the map by reducing the uncertainty of the radon potential assigned to a municipality. Currently, a strategy for an improved radon map is worked out, based on a regular grid (2` 2 km) and taking into account geology. It is planned to carry out measurements in 35 000 dwellings, selected according to defined criteria, over the next years. Starting point should be 2014 with 5000 dwellings in one of the federal states with the highest radon potential. Beyond the extension of radon measurements in dwelling studies are currently ongoing to evaluate if existing data from schools, kindergartens and official buildings can be included in the data pool used for the radon map and if and how additional data such as aeroradiometry, dose rate, geology and soil permeability can be helpful for improving radon map.
V. GRUBER ET AL.
Radon awareness As discussed, to inform the public, stakeholders, decision-makers and (local) authorities on the radon issue and to increase the radon awareness is a fundamental step and basis for all radon activities and measures. Several efforts have been done in the field in Austria in the last years. An official radon webpage was designed by the responsible ministry(15), together with the National Radon Centre. An informative and descriptive interactive radon presentation is provided, as well as the up-to-date radon potential map, with a search function for details on a communal level. General and updated radon relevant information and articles are linked and contact points are listed. A series of cross-national radon folders were realised in 2010 together with Germany, Italy and Switzerland covering the field’s radon measurements and evaluation, radon precaution, radon mitigation measures and the effect of retrofitting thermal insulation. The brochures are available for free in German, English, French and Italian language and can be downloaded from several webpages(15 – 17) or ordered at the radon contact points of the participating countries. Additionally, in Austria several brochures and reports have been published on specific radon projects (kindergartens, schools, town halls, waterworks, drinking water, complete radon survey in three municipalities etc.)(15 – 17). To stimulate the communication with the public a radon info line was established this year at the National Radon Centre, where radon experts answer questions and inform via telephone. Besides, press releases and conferences and broadcasts to different target audiences are organised on a regular basis. Nevertheless, concerning ‘radon public relations’ there is still a great need for action. It is planned to establish radon as a topic in school and university education, ‘road shows’, radon events and appearance at fairs should be organised and training
and info days for stakeholders, authorities, building experts etc. should be provided. THE WAY TO THE RADON ACTION PLAN All the discussed radon strategies, activities and needs for actions will be implemented and transferred in the Austrian radon action plan. The planning and preparation process has been started by the National Radon Centre and should be approved by the policymakers as soon as the BSS are published. The key points will be to clarify the responsibilities and set reference levels, as well as define ‘radon risk areas’ as basis for legislation, radon measures, projects and financial support. Increasing radon awareness and providing training will complete the list. This actions and strategies will support the vision to reduce the lung cancer cases caused by radon in Austria significantly over next 20 y. REFERENCES 1. Friedmann, H. Final results of the Austrian radon project, Health Phy. 89(4), 339 –348 (2005). 2. Maringer, F. J. et al.. Results and conclusions of the Austrian radon mitigation project ‘SARAH’, Sci. Total Environ. 272(1–3), 159– 167 (2001). 3. Ringer, W., Kaineder, H., Maringer, F. J. and Kindl, P. Determination of the radon potential of a building by a controlled depressurisation technique (RACODE). In: The Natural Radiation Environment.. McLaughlin J. P., Simopoulos E. S. and Steinha¨usler F., Eds. Vol. 7 (Elsevier) pp. 221– 231 (2005). 4. Council of the European Union. Council directive 2013/ 59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom. Official Journal of the European Union. L 13, 57, 1– 73, 17.01 (2014). 5. European Commission. 90/143/Euratom. Commission Recommendation of 21 February 1990 on the protection of the public against indoor exposure to radon. Official Journal L 080, pp. 26–28, 27.03. (1990). 6. ICRP. Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 60. Ann. ICRP, printed versions are available by Pergamon Press, 21, (1–3), (1991). 7. Bundesministerium fu¨r Gesundheit, Sport und Konsumentenschutz (BMGSK), 58. Sitzung am 29. Juni 1992. Empfehlung der Strahlenschutzkommission betreffend,“Richtwerte fu¨r die Radonkonzentration in ¨ sterreich 1993. (Beitra¨ge, Innenra¨umen”, In: Radon in O Forschungsberichte, BMGSK, Sektion III, Bd. 3/94) (1994). ¨ sterreich. Strahlenschutzgesetz – StrSchG, 8. Republik O ¨ nderung BGBl. I Nr. 137/ (2004). A ¨ sterreich. Natu¨rliche Strahlenquellen9. Republik O Verordnung – NatStrV), BGBl. II Nr. 2/ (2008).
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running. With the gained knowledge, the standard will be revised. Even if a lot has been done already in the mitigation field, still many un-remediated buildings with known elevated radon concentrations exist. More efforts have to be done to inform and motivate the concerned house owners or tenants and the public in general to take measures against radon. Financial support for radon measurements, preventive and remediation measures should be provided by the federal countries or the state. In one federal state financial support already exists since 1997, but still the response is quite low. Designing effective strategies to increase the radon awareness therefore is a key point for the future Austrian radon programme.
AUSTRIAN ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN ¨ NORM S-5200. Radioactivity in 14. Austrian Standards. O ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) Building Materials (O (2009). 15. Bundesministerium fu¨r Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW), Abteilung V/7 – Strahlenschutz. http://www.radon.gv.at/. (March 31 2014, date last accessed). 16. Amt der obero¨sterreichischen Landesregierung. http:// www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/cps/rde/xchg/ooe/hs.xsl/ radon_DEU_HTML.htm. (March 31 2014, date last accessed). 17. Agentur fu¨r Gesundheit und Erna¨hrungssicherheit (AGES). http://www.ages.at/ages/strahlenschutz/radon/. (March 31 2014, date last accessed).
10. Council of the European Union. Council directive 96/29/ EURATOM of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers from ionizing radiation. Official Journal L 159, pp. 1 –114 (1996). ¨ NORM S-5280– 1. Radon – 11. Austrian Standards. O Measuring Methods and their Range of Applications ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) (2008). (O ¨ NORM S-5280-2. Radon – 12. Austrian Standards. O Technical Preventive Measures for Buildings ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) (2012). (O ¨ NORM S-5280-3. Radon – 13. Austrian Standards. O ¨ sterreichisches Remedial Measures on Buildings (O Normungsinstitut) (2005).
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doi:10.1093/rpd/ncu103
THE AUSTRIAN RADON ACTIVITIES ON THE WAY TO THE NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN V. Gruber1,*, W. Ringer1, G. Wurm1 and W. Haider2 1 AGES – Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, National Radon Centre, Wieningerstraße 8, 4020 Linz, Austria 2 BMLFUW – Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Dep. V/7 – Radiation Protection, Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Wien, Austria *Corresponding author: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
THE LEGAL RADON SITUATION IN AUSTRIA
Radon has already been a subject for over 100 y in Austria. First radon measurements in water were carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century, mainly to search for radon springs for medical use. Radon measurements in air started after the Second World War. Until 1972 several thousand measurements of radon in air at workplace (caves and mines) and in homes had been carried out, but it was not until the early 1990s that a systematic and coordinated investigation of the radon situation in Austria began. In 1992, the Austrian National Radon ¨ NRAP)(1) was initiated to establish the Project (O Austrian radon map. Other main projects focused on mitigation techniques and preventive measures (SARAH)(2) and the influence of building characteristics on the radon concentration (RACODE)(3). These projects were also designed to fulfil the key points set in the radon recommendation by the Austrian Radiation Protection Commission in 1992 (see below). Since that time various studies were carried out (800 kindergartens, 350 schools, 450 town halls, several specific workplace), a lot of knowledge was acquired, radon became a topic in legislation and standards were established (see below). With the new EURATOM Basic Safety Standards (BSS)(4) it will become mandatory for all member states to design a strategy to control long-term risks from radon exposure, by establishing reference levels and setting up a ‘national radon action plan’. Therefore, Austria will revise the radon legislation and standards and gather all the gained knowledge of the last 20 y and transfer it into action by establishing a radon action plan.
Based on the 1990s publications by the European Commission(5) and International Commission on Radiological Protection(6), the Austrian Radiation Protection Commission issued a recommendation concerning ‘reference levels for indoor radon’ in 1992(7) with the key elements: (1) action level for existing dwellings (400 Bq m23) and a design level for future constructions (200 Bq m23); (2) recommendation to set up a radon potential map of Austria; (3) recommendation to set up guidelines for mitigation and prevention and (4) recommendation to inform the population. This recommendation was the only basis for radon programmes and activities until 2004, when radon in dwellings was implemented in the amendment of the Radiation Protection Law (StrSchG, Section 38b)(8), saying that the responsible ministry is legally obliged to collect all radon data in a central database and to set up radon maps to inform the public on regions with elevated radon potential and to set up recommendations to reduce exposure to radon in dwellings. All the relevant information must be made available to the public and the federal authorities. Radon at workplace is covered in the ‘ordinance on exposure due to radiation sources (NatStrV)’(9) established in 2008, as part of the implementation of the 96/29/Euratom guidelines.(10) Workplace with potentially elevated radon exposures—water works, underground workplace, show mines, show caves and radon spas (defined by federal state laws with a minimum
# The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected]
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Washington on December 2, 2014
Based on the new Euratom Basic Safety Standards (BSS), all EU member states will be obliged to design a strategy to address long-term risks from radon exposure, which is laid down in the ‘national radon action plan’. In Austria, the National Radon Centre is responsible for the development of the action plan. This paper presents the current and planned radon protection activities on the way to establish the radon action plan—like the national radon database, the definition of radon risk areas by improving the existing radon map, as well as strategies and activities to increase the radon awareness of the public and decision-makers and to involve the building sector. The impact of and the need for actions caused by the BSS requirements on the Austrian radon legislation, strategy and programme are discussed.
V. GRUBER ET AL.
THE NEW EU BSS AND THEIR IMPACT ON AUSTRIA In the new EURATOM BSS(4) for the first time radon is covered extensively in an EU directive that will be mandatory to implement in national legislation for the member states. Radon is the topic of three articles—radon in workplace, indoor exposure to radon and radon action plan; a list of items to be considered in the national action plan is annexed. For workplace as well as for dwellings and any kind of indoor exposure, the member states shall establish national reference levels, not .300 Bq m23. This might be the main point of need for action for Austria, as no national reference levels have been established so far, and the recommended action limit for existing buildings of 400 Bq m23 does not fulfil the obligation. No differentiation between new and existing buildings, as well as for different use of buildings, is specified in the BSS but left to the member states. The experts in Austria have to discuss, if the differentiation should remain in the new legislation, and what reference levels will be chosen, and in what form of legal document this should be implemented.
According to the BSS, member states shall promote action to identify dwellings exceeding the reference level and encourage radon concentration reducing measures in these dwellings. This is not covered in Austrian legislation in detail, but is addressed in the StrSchG(8) and the existing radon standards(12,13). ‘Member states should assure that local and national information is made available on indoor radon exposure and associated health risks’(4), which is covered in the StrSchG and 1992 recommendations. Measures in these fields are a key point for the future Austrian radon strategy (see below). The BSS state that member states should require that radon measurements are carried out in specific types of workplace identified in the national action plan, as well as workplace on ground floor and basement level within areas ‘where buildings are expected to exceed the national reference level’. The specific workplace (underground, others identified by risk assessment) is covered in the NatStrV in Austria, even though some revisions will be required. But measuring all workplace (and buildings with public access) in the identified ‘radon areas’ is not part of any legislation in Austria so far, and will result in a lot of mandatory measurements in the future. Resources for this must be established and responsibilities have to be clarified. One key point following the new BSS in the radon field, beside establishing reference levels, will be the identification and definition of the areas ‘where the radon concentration (as an annual average) in a significant number of buildings is expected to exceed the relevant national reference level’, as this will impact and be the basis of several (legal) decisions and future measures. All these measures and strategies should be part of the national radon action plan, which will be obligatory to have for all member states, addressing longterm risks from radon exposures in dwellings, building with public access and workplace for any source of radon ingress (soil, building materials, water). A list of issues which should be covered is set in the BSS annex0 and the action plan should be updated on a regular basis. Developing such an action plan for Austria will be a main task for the ‘National Radon Centre’ (see below), which was assigned by the responsible ministry (BMLFUW). The strategies and activities for that purpose will be discussed in following chapters. THE AUSTRIAN RADON ACTIVITIES: STATUS AND STRATEGY The National Radon Centre Based on the radiation protection law (StrSchG)(8), the National Radon Centre was established in 2006
Page 2 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Washington on December 2, 2014
required radon concentration in water or air)—is listed in it. Dose evaluations in those workplaces are compulsory and workers with annual doses .1 mSv a21 are defined as occupationally exposed to radiation. An annual dose limit of 20 mSv a21 is set. The ordinance explicitly does not cover radon in dwellings or exposures caused by natural radiation background. Building legislation in Austria is under the responsibility of the federal states, but harmonisation between the different laws is attempted by so-called OIBdirectives (OIB, Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering). Since 2007 radon is addressed in the OIB-3 guideline under ‘dangerous immissions’ and refers to the 1992 recommendation(7) action levels and the radon standards (see below). Seven out of nine federal states declared this OIB guideline compulsory, so radon should be taken into account in the process of getting a construction permit. Based on the results and experience of the various radon studies done in the 1990 and 2000s, standards ¨ NORM series S 5280(11 – 13) were developed. The O covers the topics radon measurement methods and preventive and remedial measures on buildings. Additionally, radon is taken into account in the ¨ NORM S 5200(14) which ensures Austrian standard O the limitation of public exposure due to natural radionuclides in building materials (external radiation and inhalation of radon and radon progenies). The reference value for the effective total dose is set to 2.2 mSv a21, based on the average natural exposure in Austria and the 1 mSv a21 accepted additional dose for the population.
AUSTRIAN ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN
within the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), funded by the Ministry (BMLFUW). The principal aim is to coordinate the radon efforts in Austria. It serves as a platform for communication and information of authorities and the public and provides advice to authorities and stakeholders. Present tasks are to update and improve the Austrian radon potential map, to maintain the central radon database, to design the national action plan, as well as to carry out specific radon projects and to increase radon awareness by a national radon website, brochures and campaigns.
As one of the required points in the StrSchG, a central radon database has been established in the last years. The aim is to collect not only the measured radon concentration, but also all relevant information about building type, measurement, remediation and prevention measures, etc. By now 30 000 records are included in the database, with direct connection via the WWW for authorised measurement laboratories and the authorities with search and export functions. The radon potential map As discussed above identifying and defining areas with expected higher radon concentrations in buildings is fundamental for establishing legislation and future strategies. In Austria, this activity was started in the early 1990s with the Austrian National Radon ¨ NRAP) which yielded the Austrian radon Project (O potential map shown in Fig. 1. It is based on measurements in 9000 dwellings, the radon potential was calculated for a standardised situation (annual mean, ground floor, no basement, normal use—for more details see)(1). In the present radon potential map, the mean radon potential per municipality is displayed, classified in three classes. As there are
Figure 1. The Austrian radon potential map, Status 2012.
Radon prevention and mitigation measures A major goal in radon strategies is to establish radon preventive measures in building legislation. In Austria, a first step was done as radon is included in the OIB guidelines, but should become more standardised among the federal states and better implemented in practice. The strategy is efficient, but cost-effective radon preventive measures should be the standard in new buildings and should be a mandatory parameter in the process to get a construction permit for a building (similar to energy performance certificates). To transfer this strategy into practice, education of building experts, stakeholders and local authorities is necessary. Activities to provide training and information have been started such as presentations on meetings of experts and stakeholders of the building sector, letters to local authorities, stands on construction fairs and specific research projects. Currently, a study is ongoing together with a building enterprise to test the effectiveness of different preventive measures in new buildings. In the future, a kind of radon certificate for houses is planned. In the 1990s, mitigation methods were tested in typical Austrian houses within the SARAH programme(2) and the knowledge was transferred in the mitigation radon standard(13). Since then 70 private houses, schools, kindergartens and town halls have been mitigated and a project to evaluate the (long-term) effectiveness of these measures is
Page 3 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Washington on December 2, 2014
The radon database
.2,300 municipalities in Austria, the mean radon potential by municipality is often based on only a few houses. To use the radon potential map as a reliable basis for decisions, e.g. in construction permit processes for buildings, different preventive measures for buildings or for identifying workplace where measurements according to the new BSS are required, there is a need to improve the map by reducing the uncertainty of the radon potential assigned to a municipality. Currently, a strategy for an improved radon map is worked out, based on a regular grid (2` 2 km) and taking into account geology. It is planned to carry out measurements in 35 000 dwellings, selected according to defined criteria, over the next years. Starting point should be 2014 with 5000 dwellings in one of the federal states with the highest radon potential. Beyond the extension of radon measurements in dwelling studies are currently ongoing to evaluate if existing data from schools, kindergartens and official buildings can be included in the data pool used for the radon map and if and how additional data such as aeroradiometry, dose rate, geology and soil permeability can be helpful for improving radon map.
V. GRUBER ET AL.
Radon awareness As discussed, to inform the public, stakeholders, decision-makers and (local) authorities on the radon issue and to increase the radon awareness is a fundamental step and basis for all radon activities and measures. Several efforts have been done in the field in Austria in the last years. An official radon webpage was designed by the responsible ministry(15), together with the National Radon Centre. An informative and descriptive interactive radon presentation is provided, as well as the up-to-date radon potential map, with a search function for details on a communal level. General and updated radon relevant information and articles are linked and contact points are listed. A series of cross-national radon folders were realised in 2010 together with Germany, Italy and Switzerland covering the field’s radon measurements and evaluation, radon precaution, radon mitigation measures and the effect of retrofitting thermal insulation. The brochures are available for free in German, English, French and Italian language and can be downloaded from several webpages(15 – 17) or ordered at the radon contact points of the participating countries. Additionally, in Austria several brochures and reports have been published on specific radon projects (kindergartens, schools, town halls, waterworks, drinking water, complete radon survey in three municipalities etc.)(15 – 17). To stimulate the communication with the public a radon info line was established this year at the National Radon Centre, where radon experts answer questions and inform via telephone. Besides, press releases and conferences and broadcasts to different target audiences are organised on a regular basis. Nevertheless, concerning ‘radon public relations’ there is still a great need for action. It is planned to establish radon as a topic in school and university education, ‘road shows’, radon events and appearance at fairs should be organised and training
and info days for stakeholders, authorities, building experts etc. should be provided. THE WAY TO THE RADON ACTION PLAN All the discussed radon strategies, activities and needs for actions will be implemented and transferred in the Austrian radon action plan. The planning and preparation process has been started by the National Radon Centre and should be approved by the policymakers as soon as the BSS are published. The key points will be to clarify the responsibilities and set reference levels, as well as define ‘radon risk areas’ as basis for legislation, radon measures, projects and financial support. Increasing radon awareness and providing training will complete the list. This actions and strategies will support the vision to reduce the lung cancer cases caused by radon in Austria significantly over next 20 y. REFERENCES 1. Friedmann, H. Final results of the Austrian radon project, Health Phy. 89(4), 339 –348 (2005). 2. Maringer, F. J. et al.. Results and conclusions of the Austrian radon mitigation project ‘SARAH’, Sci. Total Environ. 272(1–3), 159– 167 (2001). 3. Ringer, W., Kaineder, H., Maringer, F. J. and Kindl, P. Determination of the radon potential of a building by a controlled depressurisation technique (RACODE). In: The Natural Radiation Environment.. McLaughlin J. P., Simopoulos E. S. and Steinha¨usler F., Eds. Vol. 7 (Elsevier) pp. 221– 231 (2005). 4. Council of the European Union. Council directive 2013/ 59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom. Official Journal of the European Union. L 13, 57, 1– 73, 17.01 (2014). 5. European Commission. 90/143/Euratom. Commission Recommendation of 21 February 1990 on the protection of the public against indoor exposure to radon. Official Journal L 080, pp. 26–28, 27.03. (1990). 6. ICRP. Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 60. Ann. ICRP, printed versions are available by Pergamon Press, 21, (1–3), (1991). 7. Bundesministerium fu¨r Gesundheit, Sport und Konsumentenschutz (BMGSK), 58. Sitzung am 29. Juni 1992. Empfehlung der Strahlenschutzkommission betreffend,“Richtwerte fu¨r die Radonkonzentration in ¨ sterreich 1993. (Beitra¨ge, Innenra¨umen”, In: Radon in O Forschungsberichte, BMGSK, Sektion III, Bd. 3/94) (1994). ¨ sterreich. Strahlenschutzgesetz – StrSchG, 8. Republik O ¨ nderung BGBl. I Nr. 137/ (2004). A ¨ sterreich. Natu¨rliche Strahlenquellen9. Republik O Verordnung – NatStrV), BGBl. II Nr. 2/ (2008).
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running. With the gained knowledge, the standard will be revised. Even if a lot has been done already in the mitigation field, still many un-remediated buildings with known elevated radon concentrations exist. More efforts have to be done to inform and motivate the concerned house owners or tenants and the public in general to take measures against radon. Financial support for radon measurements, preventive and remediation measures should be provided by the federal countries or the state. In one federal state financial support already exists since 1997, but still the response is quite low. Designing effective strategies to increase the radon awareness therefore is a key point for the future Austrian radon programme.
AUSTRIAN ACTIVITIES TO NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN ¨ NORM S-5200. Radioactivity in 14. Austrian Standards. O ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) Building Materials (O (2009). 15. Bundesministerium fu¨r Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW), Abteilung V/7 – Strahlenschutz. http://www.radon.gv.at/. (March 31 2014, date last accessed). 16. Amt der obero¨sterreichischen Landesregierung. http:// www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/cps/rde/xchg/ooe/hs.xsl/ radon_DEU_HTML.htm. (March 31 2014, date last accessed). 17. Agentur fu¨r Gesundheit und Erna¨hrungssicherheit (AGES). http://www.ages.at/ages/strahlenschutz/radon/. (March 31 2014, date last accessed).
10. Council of the European Union. Council directive 96/29/ EURATOM of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers from ionizing radiation. Official Journal L 159, pp. 1 –114 (1996). ¨ NORM S-5280– 1. Radon – 11. Austrian Standards. O Measuring Methods and their Range of Applications ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) (2008). (O ¨ NORM S-5280-2. Radon – 12. Austrian Standards. O Technical Preventive Measures for Buildings ¨ sterreichisches Normungsinstitut) (2012). (O ¨ NORM S-5280-3. Radon – 13. Austrian Standards. O ¨ sterreichisches Remedial Measures on Buildings (O Normungsinstitut) (2005).
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