Protection against radon at workplaces

In Germany, persons who are occupationally exposed to ionising radiation, for example as generated by radon, are radiation protection monitored. This means that it is measured to what extent persons are exposed to ionising radiation at their workplaces.

If an annual dose of 6 millisievert and above must be expected, the person working at this workplace is included in the Radiation Protection Register of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS).

More protection against high radon concentration at workplaces

So far, exposure to radon was only checked and registered on a regular basis for persons working at certain workplaces such as in mines, show caves, radon spas and water supply facilities The data collected by the BfS shows that on average, compared to other occupational groups, persons working at these workplaces receive the highest effective dose per year – even more than persons working e.g. in the fields of medical radiology or nuclear engineering.

Radon paths from the ground into buildings

From 2019, the protection against high radon concentrations at workplaces will be extended so that no workplace will show a radon concentration above the annual mean of 300 becquerel per cubic metre over the long term. This is based on the Radiation Protection Act.

Special protection in areas with enhanced radon concentration

By the end of 2020, the federal states have to determine in what areas a particularly large amount of radon in buildings has to be expected.

In these areas, the radon concentration at workplaces situated in the basement and on the ground floor must be measured. The persons responsible for the respective workplaces are accountable for this.

Reducing the radon concentration below 300 becquerel per cubic metre

If the measurements at the workplace show a radon concentration above 300 becquerel per cubic metre, measures must be taken immediately to reduce the radon concentration at this workplace.

The successful implementation of these measures must be demonstrated through a subsequent measurement.

Example of a passive radon measuring device (Diffusion chamber)

Measures at radon concentrations above 300 becquerel per cubic metre

If one fails to reduce the radon concentration at the workplace to below 300 becquerel per cubic metre, the workplace must be reported to the competent Länder radiation protection authorities.

Furthermore, the employer must estimate the radiation dose to be expected for the persons at this workplace.

From an expected dose of 6 millisievert per year, the regulations of occupational radiation protection apply. This means that the radiation dose to the the radiation dose to the staff must be estimated permanently and reported to the BfS Radiation Protection Register. The Radiation Protection Register verifies that the limit values for the permissible annual radiation exposure and the occupational life dose of all persons included in the Register are complied with.

Official measuring stations provide information and dosimeters

Official measuring stations provide information and dosimeters for workplaces concerned. The Länder establish these official measuring stations.

If a workplace concerned is radiation protection monitored, the employer is accountable for registering the persons working at this workplace in both the BfS Radiation Protection Register and the competent official measuring station. Information on the registering in the BfS Radiation Protection Register are available at www.bfs.de/ssr.