The IAEA has recently released a safety guide on how to protect workers from the potential harmful effects of radon exposure in workplaces, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium in minerals and rocks. It can accumulate in workplaces - for example, in offices, underground locations and industrial premises involving the processing of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) - and is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide.
"Protecting workers from the effects of radon requires a proactive and informed approach," said Laura Urso, Acting Head of the IAEA Radiation Protection Unit. "The new guide on the Protection of Workers Against Exposure Due to Radon offers practical recommendations to IAEA member countries, supporting governments, regulatory bodies and other relevant authorities in identifying workplaces where radon exposure may be a concern, and strengthening the protection of workers in line with international safety standards."
Protecting workers from radon and thoron
The publication provides international standards of safety for the protection of workers against exposure to radon, thoron and their decay products in all types of workplaces. It focuses on applying a graded approach and the principles of justification and optimization of protection and safety, such as by ensuring that exposure is authorized and is as low as reasonably achievable.
"Natural radiation represents a significant proportion of the occupational exposure of workers, with radon being a key exposure pathway in certain workplaces," said Niu Shengli, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Senior Specialist on Occupational Health and Radiation. "This publication offers a framework for improving safety in radon-prone workplaces."
Providing guidance on radiation protection measures
In addition to setting out the responsibilities for the governments, regulatory bodies and employers, the safety guide provides qualification requirements for service providers offering individual monitoring or calibration services specifically related to radon and thoron.
''The publication reflects the IAEA's important role in providing comprehensive guidance to its member countries. It highlights the radiation protection measures contributing to reductions in occupational radon exposures to ensure the continued protection of uranium miners and other workers,'' said Rachel Lane, radiation and health sciences specialist at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Roges de Oliveira, a researcher at the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, added that ''the guide is very useful to national regulatory bodies as a reference for planning strategies and establishing requirements for controlling worker exposure to radon in a variety of existing exposure situations.''
The new publication is available free of charge here.
IAEA Safety Standards
This safety guide forms part of the IAEA's Safety Standards series, which provides the fundamental principles, requirements and recommendations to ensure nuclear and radiation safety. The series serves as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation and contributes to a harmonized high level of safety worldwide.
