College Radon Survey

The Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive establishes a common basis for radiation protection legislation for all European Union Member States. The 1996 revision of this Directive covers 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 the workplace as a natural radiation source, which may potentially lead to an increase in occupation exposure. The necessary laws and regulations to comply with this Directive were brought into force in Ireland by the "Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000" (Statutory Instrument No. 125 of 2000) on the 13th May 2000. This Order sets a national reference level for radon gas concentrations in workplaces of 400 Bq/m³ averaged over a minimum period of 3 months. If radon levels in the workplace exceed this reference level, the employer is required, in accordance with the Order, to evaluate if remedial measures to reduce the radon levels should be taken.

In accordance with the Order, College is undertaking a survey to determine the radon gas concentrations in the workplace. To date, the Radiation Protection Office has surveyed much of the main campus, the houses adjacent to campus, and the Lee Maltings Complex. The survey is ongoing.

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Radon survey of Ireland