Protection of the Public against Exposure Indoors due to Radon and Other Natural Sources of Radiation

Requirements for the protection of people from harmful consequences of exposure to ionizing radiation, for the safety of radiation sources and for protection of the environment are established in the IAEA Safety Requirements for Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3).

Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3 is jointly sponsored by the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The present Safety Guide provides recommendations and guidance on meeting the requirements of GSR Part 3 for protection of the public against exposure indoors due to natural sources of ionizing radiation. Recommendations and guidance are provided on application of the requirements for justification and for optimization of protection by national authorities in considering the control of natural sources of radiation indoors, such as radon gas and radionuclides of natural origin in building materials. Recommendations and guidance are also provided on the establishment by States of national ‘radon action plans’ for the control of exposure of the public indoors due to radon.

This Safety Guide is jointly sponsored by the IAEA and the WHO.

The IAEA gratefully acknowledges the contribution of experts from several States and from the WHO to the drafting and review of the text.

IAEA 2015