Answer to Question 2: Dear Mark, The Euratom Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive establishes a common basis for radiation protection legislation in all European Union Member States. The 1996 revision of this Directive covers explicitly work activities where "the presence of natural radiation sources leads to a significant increase in the exposure of workers or of members of the public". The Directive identifies radon in workplaces as a natural radiation source, which may potentially lead to a significant increase in occupational exposure. In Ireland the necessary laws and regulations to comply with the Directive were brought into force by the "Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000" (Statutory Instrument No. 125 of 2000), hereafter referred to as the Order. The Order, which came into force on the 13th of May 2000, sets a national Reference Level for radon gas concentrations in workplaces of 400 Bq/m3 averaged over a minimum period of 3 months. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) (www.rpii.ie) is the national organisation with regulatory and advisory responsibilities in matters relating to ionising radiation and has been assigned particular responsibilities under the Order. In accordance with the Order, an employer, or self-employed person responsible for a workplace, must undertake a radon survey on being directed to do so by the RPII. The purpose of such a survey is to determine if the radon gas concentration in the workplace exceeds the Reference Level. Radon gas measurements, made for the purpose of such surveys, must be made by an approved measurement service and must be carried out in accordance with criteria specified by the RPII. These criteria cover measurement techniques, the period of measurement, the number of detectors required and the selection of measurement locations within the workplace. It is now recognised that various locations in Ireland have a higher level of radon gas than others due to the ground formation. Employers are required by the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000 (SI 125/00) to measure workplace radon levels if directed to do so by the RPII. The regulations set reference levels, in the case of workplaces 400 bq/m3 averaged over a three-month period. If the radon levels in the workplace are found to exceed the reference level, employers are required to take measures to protect workers’ health. Best Regards, |