ICRP Publication 126: Radiological Protection against Radon Exposure

Abstract

In this report, the Commission provides updated guidance on radiological protection against radon exposure. The report has been developed considering the latest ICRP recommendations for the system of radiological protection, all available scientific knowledge about the risks of radon, and the experience gained by many organisations and countries in the control of radon exposure. The report describes the characteristics of radon exposure, covering sources and transfer mechanisms, the health risks associated with radon, and the challenges of managing radon exposure. The Commission recommends an integrated approach for controlling radon exposure, relying as far as possible on the management of buildings or locations in which radon exposure occurs, whatever the use of the building. This approach is based on the optimisation principle, and is graded reflecting the responsibilities of key stakeholders, notably in workplaces, and the intent of the national authorities to control radon exposure. The report also provides recommendations on managing radon exposure when workers’ exposures are considered as occupational, and the appropriate requirements of the Commission should be applied.

Identifying indoor radon sources in Pa Miang, Chiang Mai, Thailand

“…These doses were much less than the recommended maximum indoor radon doses of 14 mSv year −1 for the public 15 . This was expected as the indoor radon concentrations found in this study were less than the upper reference level of 300 Bq m −3 used by ICRP − 126 14 . The data of the source of water supply collected from 30 sites including 8 private wells, 3 springs (waterfalls) and 19 streams waters are showed in the Supplementary Table S1.…”

Action levels for indoor radon: different risks for the same lung carcinogen?

“…A second conclusion that can be drawn from table 1 is that some countries and institutions have lowered their action levels due to new scientific evidence. The International Commission on Radiological Protection [17] and Canada [16] have lowered their action levels in this way but other countries have not acted and do not yet have a radon action level for residential settings. There are also differences between countries regarding who should perform the radon testing, which radon measurement devices should be used, and finally, who will carry out remediation activities in dwellings that exceed recommended action levels.…”

Radon in Us Workplaces: A Review

“…In its most recent recommendations on radon exposure, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) encouraged national authorities to set a radon reference level (RL) based on an annual effective dose within the range of 1 to 20 mSv for members of the public and workers alike (10) . The ICRP suggested a benchmark of 10 mSv effective dose equivalent per year as a practical starting point for considerations by nations developing radon management strategies and also recognized an effective dose conversion factor (DCF) for RnDP exposures of approximately 10 mSv per Working Level Month (WLM), where 1 WLM =3.54 mJ·h·m −3 .…”