radon in the workplace - bangor universityhsgroup.bangor.ac.uk/documents/radonpresentation.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
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Radon in the Workplace
Dr John Latchford
College of Natural Sciences
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What is radon?
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• It is actually a naturally occurring radioactive gas
• Discovered in the 20th Century when chemist and physicist Ernest Rutherford verified radium emitted a gas – ‘radon’ which qualified as a new element
What is radon?
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Where does it come from?
• Originates from uranium that occurs naturally in many rocks, soils, bricks and concrete
Uranium Ore
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Where can it be found?
• The highest radon concentrations can be found in spaces that are either wholly or partially below ground, eg:
– Basements and cellars
– Caves and mines
– Buildings built into an embankment
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Where can it be found?
• In addition, ground floors of buildings with poor ventilation or high temperatures may also be a problem
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Legal requirements
Employers have general duties to manage radon:
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
In addition, specific duties apply:
• Ionising Radiation Regulations
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Why is radon a problem?
Radon is a problem because:
• It can’t be seen – it is colourless and odourless
• It can seep out of the ground and build up in houses and workplaces
• Levels can vary daily / seasonally:
• Temperature differences
• Reduced ventilation
• Central heating
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Effects of radon
As a general rule radon gas breathed in is immediately exhaled and presents little hazard
However:
• Some radon decay products may become lodged in the lungs and airways
• Long term exposure to high radon concentrations increases the risk of lung cancer
• Health studies show radon is responsible for 3-5% of all lung cancers
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Putting it into context
People may panic when they hear the word ‘radioactive’
However, to put it into context:
• Radon levels are lower in the UK than many European countries
• Some workplaces have levels of 17,000 Bq m-3
• Half of the radon associated deaths occur among the quarter of the population who are current smokers
• It is mainly lungs that are exposed to and damaged by radon. There is no consistent evidence that radon causes cancers elsewhere, or other harm
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What do I need to do?
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Managing radon
To comply with legislation you must:
• Identify radon affected areas
• Assess the risk of exposure to radon
• Put in place controls to manage any risk
• Inform anyone who may be affected
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Assessing radon risks…
• You could pay a consultant to identify radon affected areas
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Alternatively!
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL RADON AREAS
• Search Radon UK (from the Health Protection Agency (HPA)) to identify radon areas by postcode
• Utilise local knowledge to identify areas wholly or partially below ground
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Alternatively!
ASSESS THE RISK
Once potential radon areas have been identified, assess the risk by taking into account:
• The extent the area is below ground
• The room use
• How long the room is used for
• Room temperature ie is it very hot
• Ventilation sources
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Alternatively!
MEASURING RADON
• Once you have identified ‘at risk’ areas you must take radon measurements
• Purchase radon monitors from the HPA, which are hollow plastic shells containing clear plastic that records the damage caused by radon
A monitor, which is completely inert and harmless
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Alternatively!
MEASURING RADON
• On receipt of the monitors, place them immediately following the instructions provided in the radon identified areas
• After 3 months, collect the monitors and return to the HPA
• Wait for the results
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Alternatively!
ANALYSE THE RESULTS
• The HPA results are very easy to follow
• Cross reference them against the Ionising Radiation Regulations action level for workplaces of:
400 Bq m-3
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Alternatively!
IF A RESULT EXCEEDS THE ACTION LEVEL
• Contact the Health Protection Agency and they will advise you on what action you should take
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Alternatively!
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
• Appoint a single point of contact for radon
• Change the room use eg storage room
• Restrict access so only authorised persons can enter the area
• Set up logging systems so you know who is going into the room and for how long
• Improve ventilation eg Vent-Axia fans, make sure windows can be opened
• Control temperature eg put in place thermostats so rooms don’t get too hot, maintain equipment so it doesn’t overheat
• Ensure change of room use / modification are reported to the Appointed Person
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Monitor
As with all risk assessments, they should be kept under review. The HSE recommend the following monitoring periods:
• Where significant changes are made to the fabric of a building or the work carried out in it
• Once every 10 years where radon levels were found to be significantly less than 400 Bq/m3
• Less than 10 years where radon levels were just below 400 Bq/m3
• Significantly more frequently where radon levels above 400 Bq/m3 were found and where measures were taken to reduce exposure eg engineered systems or occupancy restrictions
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Still worried?
If you are still worried about radon contact:
• The Health Protection Agency
• HSE Specialist Inspector who deals with radiation issues which includes radon