Application of the ALARA principle for radon at work: feedback from the European ALARA network

Abstract

The Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom has introduced binding requirements for the management of radon in the workplace in Member States of the European Union. How does it work in practice? In 2021, the European ALARA Network (EAN) created a working group on ALARA for Radon at Work (A-RAW) with the objective of collecting and sharing experiences from the field. A survey was developed to detail each step of the national regulations for the control of radon and to describe case studies showing implementation. This article presents the qualitative analysis of the answers received from seven countries. There are no two similar national regulations and, at each step, different provisions, protocols, techniques etc. are applicable or recommended. This diversity contributes to the richness of the results and can inform about interesting and good practices, where good is defined by what is appropriate in the nationally and locally prevailing circumstances. All national regulations follow a graded approach, which is a key component for the implementation of the optimization (ALARA) principle, yet several potential weak points that may be challenging to ALARA have been identified and are discussed, namely the radon risk assessment, the focus on numerical values, uncertainties in the measurement, how to obtain economically efficient remediation, and the interface with other regulations. Strengthening collaboration between risk prevention and radiation protection actors could help to provide and build expertise on radon management in the workplace, especially when exposure is managed as a planned exposure situation.

Indoor radon mitigation strategies: The Alto Minho region (Northern Portugal) practical case

“…33 Therefore, appropriate measurement protocols must be followed, and consultation with a qualified radon measurement professional is advised to ensure accurate and reliable results. 34 Most frequently used radon detectors Passive detectors. Passive detectors are commonly used for long-term measurements of radon concentration in indoor environments.…”

“…33 Therefore, appropriate measurement protocols must be followed, and consultation with a qualified radon measurement professional is advised to ensure accurate and reliable results. 34…”

Summary of the 2021 ICRP workshop on the future of radiological protection

“…As expected, optimization of protection received considerable attention. Several participants encouraged a more holistic approach to optimization, considering factors beyond the radiological to a greater extent than often seen today (Andresz et al 2021, Lamarre et al 2021, Magnússon et al 2021 and better involvement of stakeholders to address public perception and concerns (Lecomte 2021). To support this, the ICRP could create a rigorous quantitative scientific framework for the trade-off between benefit and harm (Malone 2021).…”

“…Several presenters noted that increasing clarity and consistency, as well as simplicity, especially to aid communication, are important (Johnston 2021, Petrová 2021. Similarly, the importance of communication to inform radiation-related risks and associated uncertainties, and more generally to inform about the complexity of the System, was stressed several times (Andresz et al 2021, Garnier-Laplace et al 2021, Johnston 2021, Magnússon et al 2021, Moores and Mattsson 2021, Petrová 2021, Vassileva and Holmberg 2021, Wilkins 2021. ICRP documents and recommendations can be difficult to read, which may lead to misinterpretation of dose limits, dose constraints and reference levels; uncertainties in dose measurements and health effects; application of optimization; and the LNT model (Chambers 2021, Lorenz 2021.…”

“…He noted that communication and stakeholder involvement were vital in the process. He concluded by noting that a graded approach in radiological protection may take advantage of the control mechanisms already existing/defined in other regulations and that the aim should be an integrated and eventually holistic approach (Andresz et al 2021).…”