receives tap water whose quality complies at all times with the total indicative dose of 0.1 mSv/year set by the regulations. This generally satisfactory assessment also applies to the radiological quality of bottled water produced in France (DGS/ASN/IRSN report published in 2013). Since 2019, measurement of the radon content of tap water and bottled water has been compulsory. To assist the introduction of this new provision, an instruction was drawn up in consultation with ASN and issued in 2018 to the ARS by the General Directorate for Health (DGS) (ASN opinion 2018-AV-0302 of 6 March 2018 on radon management procedures in the sanitary control of water intended for human consumption). Exposure due to radon In France, the regulations relative to management of the radon risk, put in place in the early 2000’s for certain Public Access Buildings (PABs), were extended to certain workplaces in 2008. In 2016, radon was introduced into the indoor air quality policy. Transposition of Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down Basic Safety Standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation led to the amending of the provisions applicable to radon since 1 July 2018. A reference level of 300 Bq/m3 has been introduced. It is applicable to all situations, which enables the health risk associated with radon to be managed with an all-inclusive approach. The regulations have been extended with provisions concerning the three main sectors: ∙ With regard to the general public, a significant improvement has been introduced: radon is now included in the information to be provided to buyers and tenants of real estate situated in areas where the radon potential could be the highest (zone 3). ∙ In workplaces, the regulations have been extended to cover professional activities exercised on ground floor levels (only activities carried out in basements were concerned until now) and in certain specific workplaces. Whatever the radon potential zone in which the workplace is situated, radon must be considered in the risk assessment. If necessary, a measurement can be taken in this context, if there is a risk of reaching or exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq/m3. If the reference level is exceeded, the employer must take action to reduce the radon activity concentration. If the action turns out to be ineffective, the employer must identify potential “radon zones” from the moment the dose received by the workers exceeds 6 mSv/year, assuming the workers are present constantly, and then implement radiation protection measures if necessary according to the level of exposure of the workers. ∙ In some PABs, the radon management methods have been adjusted, more specifically with the inclusion of day-care facilities for children under 6 years of age and an obligation to inform the public by displaying the radon measurement results(8). The type of action to be taken if the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 is exceeded is graded according to the measurement results: simple corrective actions for radon concentrations between 300 and 1,000 Bq/m3, expert assessment and remediation work if the corrective actions do not reduce the radon concentration to below the reference level or if the measurement results reach or exceed 1,000 Bq/m3. ASN issues the approvals to the organisations that measure radon in certain PABs. In 2023, 42 approvals were issued, of which 34 were level 1 and 8 level 2, bringing their total number to 77, with 15 level-2 approvals as at 13 October 2023. The list is available in the ASN Official Bulletin at asn.fr. The level-1 organisations take the measurements to evaluate the average annual concentration in the buildings. If the reference level is exceeded, additional measurements – corresponding to the level-2 approvals – can be taken. They are used to determine the radon sources and the entry and transfer pathways in the buildings. They provide additional data to support the expert assessment, particularly for buildings with a large surface area and complex substructures. Over the last four years, between 40 and 100 additional measurements have been taken each year. The data transmitted to ASN each year by these organisations in their annual report concern the measurements taken in the PABs that are subject to monitoring of exposure of the public, defined in Article D. 1333-32 of the Public Health Code (level 1 approval). The analysis of the data over the last seven measurement campaigns shows a trend towards an improvement in the situation, with a gradual reduction in the number of buildings exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 and the 1,000 Bq/m3 level in the context of the initial and ten-yearly measurements (see Diagram 3). During the last campaign of 2022-2023, the radon activity concentration was below the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 in 77% of the educational establishments measured, 86% of day-care facilities for children under 6 years of age, 86% of the healthcare, social and medico-social facilities and in 60% of spa facilities (no measurements were taken in prisons). If the reference level is exceeded, the facility concerned is obliged to carry out corrective action or works, then check the effectiveness through a new measurement. The analysis of the results over the last seven years shows an improvement trend in the situation, with a gradual increase in the number of facilities managing to get below the reference level of 300 Bq/m3. This improvement may be attributed to greater effectiveness in the works carried out, to the drop in the initial radon concentration levels, or a combination of both these factors (see Diagram 4). For the last seven measuring campaigns, the categories of establishments having undergone initial or ten-yearly measurements are broken down as follows: 60% educational institutions (from nursery school to secondary high school), 11% day-care facilities for children under 6 years of age, 28% healthcare, social and medico-social institutions, and less than 1% spas and prisons (see Diagram 5). More generally, the management strategy for the radon risk is set out in a national action plan. Implementation of this plan will improve the way the general public and the stakeholders concerned are informed and will enhance knowledge of radon exposure in the home and how it evolves. The 4th French national plan for the 2020-2024 period was published in early 2021. It fits into the framework of the 4th National Health and Environment Plan which now coordinates all the sector-based plans concerning health or the environment, which is itself driven by the National Public Health Strategy 2018-2022, of which one action aims to reduce exposure to interior pollution. This action explicitly targets the effects of radon in the home: “over and beyond the sanitary aspects, it is question of promoting a living environment that fosters health and of reducing the effects of exposure in the home (chemical pollution, radon, etc.)”. 8. Order of 26 February 2019 relative to the methods of managing radon in certain buildings open to the public and dissemination of information to the people frequenting these buildings. 112 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 • 01 • Nuclear activities: ionising radiation and health and environmental risks
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