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EU-STRA-Strålevern

TOWARDS EFFECTIVE RADIATION PROTECTION BASED ON IMPROVED SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS -FOCUS ON RADON AND NORM

Alternative title: Effektivt strålevern basert på et forbedret vitenskapelig kunnskapsgrunnlag og vurderinger av sosiale forhold - fokus på radon og norm

Awarded: NOK 9.3 mill.

The present project covers the contribution from the Directorate for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (DSA) to the EURATOM project RadoNorm. The key aim of RadoNorm is to provide answers to open questions related to radon and NORM exposure of humans and the environment and to provide sound, feasible and applicable solutions for radiation risk reduction which are widely acceptable for the individuals and the public. The European project has 56 partners from 22 countries. Around half of the average natural ionizing radiation exposure of people comes from radon gas. There is overwhelming evidence that radon exposure increases risk of lung cancer. However, it is also possible that radon can be linked to other cancers. Exposure to other naturally occurring radionuclides may also significantly contribute to radiation exposures of the public. This is seen for instance in NORM- industries, management of radioactive waste and in areas with naturally enhanced levels of radionuclides. The Radonorm project will contribute to improved scientific basis for radiation protection and management of radon and NORM, according to new radiation protection standards in Europe. Measurements strategies for thoron and thoron decay products have been in focus together with capabilities and experiences of calibration facilities for the nuclides. Testing of widely available inexpensive radon measurement instruments is ongoing. A comprehensive review of the temporal and spatial variability of long-term measurement results has been performed. To increase knowledge about spatiotemporal variation in exhalation of radon and thoron and transport of these noble gases and their progeny in the outdoor environment, a field study is being carried out at a high background radiation area (HBRA) in the Fen igneous complex near Ulefoss in Telemark. We apply new and state-of-the-art instrumentation and fieldwork has been performed on two occasions in 2021 and are planned for three to four occasions in 2022 to attain an adequate amount of data. To be able to manage all the naturally occurring radioactivity across nature and industries in Europe, there is a need for a systematic overview of NORM exposure sites across European countries, as well as a characterization of the main exposure scenarios with respect to multiple hazards containing radionuclides. Carefully structured and systematic methodology has been developed to ensure high quality data from countries participants. Additionally, a NORM survey has been developed and is currently in the testing phase. NORM exposure scenarios were considered in order to identify those where the updating of exposure dose modelling processes is currently missing and needed. In the first reporting period of the project, disposal sites receiving NORM residues, NORM affected legacy sites and groundwater filtration facilities were evaluated. Information from Norwegian disposal sites that receive NORM waste are currently included in ongoing work on radiation exposure dose and risk modelling. Studies of association of radon and childhood leukemia have been initiated, and DSA contributes to a subtask on the links between childhood leukemia and multiple stressors and poor antioxidant status. A study on risks of radon and NORM in drinking water is slightly delayed due to covid restrictions. DSA has contributed to the development of two questionnaires that have been distributed to European countries in order to identify the various regulatory approaches to control radon in workplaces and dwellings. An analysis of the radon-reducing effect of preventive measures in radon-prone municipalities in Norway has been accepted for publication. The results indicate that radon prevention in new build homes is effective. Consideration of NORM involving industries, such as coal mining, oil and gas industry, and NORM affected legacy sites, was done in order to choose proper case studies for radioecological modelling with the main objective of testing the effectiveness of mitigation measures (in NORM involving industries) and remediation measures (in NORM affected legacy sites). A workshop on Liquid NORM sources, impact assessment and treatment discussing the main topics was organized online, 24-25 February 2021. A common challenge in many countries is that the radon remediation rate is very low. The RadoNorm project will use methods of social sciences to investigate this aspect. DSA is contributing to a task that aims at developing a citizen science model to engage the public with a view to increase radon testing and particularly radon remediation. DSA is not an official partner in this project but has a supportive role.

The research and innovation actions of the RadoNorm project will be divided into work packages with well-designed organisation and regular information exchange strategy. Five Work Packages (WPs) are developed to reach the project main goal and secondary goals. These are given as: WP2 - Assessment of radon and NORM exposure situations; WP3 -Radon and NORM dosimetry; WP4 - Effects and risks from exposures to radon and NORM; WP5 - Mitigation of radon and NORM exposure situations; WP6 - Societal aspects of radiation protection with regard to radon and NORM exposures. The cross-cutting topics of E&T, and dissemination and communication will be dealt with in WP7 and WP8, respectively. The management of RadoNorm will be the responsibility of WP1. The RadoNorm adopts a multidisciplinary approach that covers the following disciplines required for proper exposure and risk assessment, risk management and risk communication of radon and NORM: · applicable metrology measurements, · pragmatic and realistic characterisation of radon and NORM exposure situations, · pragmatic and realistic radioecological assessments, · applicable and feasible dosimetry, · translational and applied radiobiology and toxicology, · epidemiology based on validated dosimetry and combined with molecular methods, · adverse effect-based modelling, validated by observational data, · applicable and feasible mitigation methods and technologies, · behavioural and social science approaches for risk perception, communication, ethics, economy analyses. The project will gather numerous scientists and experts in a collaboration of 56 European institutions from 22 different countries. The project has duration of 5 years, with planned start in autumn 2020. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) will participate in WP2, WP4 and WP5 as Task Leader and participant in various activities related to both radon and NORM. This proposal is for DSA's participation in the 5-years RadoNorm project programme.

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EU-STRA-Strålevern