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 and -2 approvals). Analysis of the level-1 data over the last eight measurement campaigns continues to show a trend towards an improvement in the situation, with a gradual increase in the number of buildings showing a result less than or equal to the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 in the context of the initial and ten-yearly measurements (see Diagram 3). During the last campaign of 2023‑2024, the radon activity concentration was less than or equal to the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 in 91% of the care facilities for children under 6 years of age, 87% of the healthcare, social and medico-social facilities and prisons, 77% of the teaching institutions and 67% of the spas measured. 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 eight years shows that they are moving in the right direction, with the number of effectiveness verifications whose results are below or equal to the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 increasing as the campaigns proceed (from 29% in 2016 to 56% in 2024). Nevertheless, in the last campaign, slightly less than half of the effectiveness verification measurements (44%) gave results exceeding the reference level, although there is a clear reduction in the proportion of those with results of 1,000 Bq/m3 or higher, which dropped from 5 to 1% (see Diagram 4). Over the last eight 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), 27.5% healthcare, social and medico-social institutions, 12% care facilities for children under 6 years of age, 0.3% spas and 0.5% 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 fourth French national action plan 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. It should have covered the 2020-2024 period, but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed completion of the regulatory framework and the initiation of certain actions. The plan has therefore been extended for a period of two years and will end in 2026. During this period the plan will undergo an evaluation of the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of its actions. The lessons learned will be used to develop the next plan. This plan follows on from the preceding plans (the assessment of the 3rd plan is available on asn.fr). It can be broken down into 13 actions focusing on three lines: Line 1 aims to implement an information and awareness-raising strategy. The health issue that radon represents requires continuation of the awareness-raising and information measures directed towards all the players (regional authorities, employers, building professionals, health professionals, teachers, etc.) and the general public, both nationally and locally, with the promotion and accompanying of regional measures for the integrated management of the radon risk in the home. A specific communication campaign shall target smokers, because they constitute the population the most at risk of developing lung cancer linked to cumulative exposure to radon and tobacco. The operational implementation of the information system incorporating all the radon monitoring results, as well as the consolidation and centralising of the existing measures, would appear moreover to be essential for informing the public. Lessons learned from the first assessment of the national action plan indicators for management of the radon risk Asystem of specific indicators, chosen according to their relevance and the data available for monitoring them, has been put in place. The indicators may be supplemented as the years go by, according to the new data available. A first assessment published in 2024 presents the following initial lessons: Public access buildings In the PABs subject to radon exposure monitoring, 82% of the buildings that took a measurement over the 2019‑2020 to 2022‑2023 period present a result below the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 therefore no follow-up action is required. The 18% presenting a result above the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 must implement corrective actions on the building to bring the measurement result below this value. Among these buildings, 2.5% present a result of 1,000 Bq/m3 or higher and must undergo an expert assessment to determine the appropriate remedial work. To date, only half the buildings have managed to attain a value below the reference level after corrective actions or works (see also point 3.2.2 of this chapter). Workplaces Employers must take radon in the workplace into account in the occupational risks assessment. Given that certain texts and application guides are not yet completed, it will be a few more years before all the employers have carried out the radon risk assessment. Consequently, the number of notifications to IRSN of workplaces with a result exceeding 300 Bq/m3 after declared radon reduction work is at present still very low. As from June 2024, the second version of the worker ionising radiation exposure monitoring information system database (Siseri 2) will be able to identify the number of workers actually exposed to radon. Homes The ARS and the regional authorities are supported in the organisation of annual local operations to raise awareness and support the public regarding the radon risk in the home. The number of radon detectors distributed free of charge via these operations increased greatly between 2019‑2020 and 2022‑2023, rising from 2,520 to 4,415 detectors. The results collected enhance knowledge of the exposure of the population. Furthermore, the health risk linked to radon is one of the least known to the French public among the environment-related risks. A gradual improvement is nevertheless being observed and the level of information is generally better in the regions concerned by the radon risk. The full assessment is available at asn.fr. FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE RADON RISK 2020-2024 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN This report was drafted by the French nuclear safety regulator (ASN) in collaboration with the members of the national action plan oversight committee: The Minister responsible for the environment The Minister responsible for housing The Minister responsible for labour The Minister responsible for health The regional health agencies Regional Directorate for Enterprises, Competition, Consumer Affairs, Labour and Employment Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety The scientific and technical centre for the building trades The study and assessment centres for risks, the environment, mobility and development Associations involved in the “radon” topic The national union of measurement professionals. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 113 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 AP Nuclear activities: ionising radiation and health and environmental risks
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