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Inventarisatie radonblootstelling specifieke beroepsgroepen
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Open Access
Type
Report
Language
nl
Date
2021-12-10
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Title
Inventarisatie radonblootstelling specifieke beroepsgroepen
Translated Title
Survey of radon exposure for specific professions
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Abstract
In bijna alle gebouwen in Nederland zit radon in de lucht. Vergeleken met de meeste andere landen is de concentratie radon in Nederland laag, ook op werkplekken. Bij sommige beroepen kunnen werknemers op de werkplek blootstaan aan een concentratie radon die hoger is dan op de meeste werkplekken. Dat kan hoger zijn dan het ‘referentieniveau’ voor radon, al is de kans klein.
Het RIVM heeft onderzocht in welke beroepsgroepen in Nederland werknemers mogelijk blootstaan aan hogere concentraties radon; vooral daar waar de concentratie hoger kan zijn dan het referentieniveau. De kans hierop is in het algemeen klein, maar blijkt hoger op werkplekken onder de grond, en op werkplekken waar met grondwater wordt gewerkt. Hier werken bijvoorbeeld archeologen en aardwetenschappers, medewerkers van drinkwaterzuiveringsinstallaties en van viskwekerijen.
Andere werknemers die mogelijk blootstaan aan hogere concentraties radon zijn mensen die werken in een glastuinbouwkas waar het gewas met CO2 wordt bemest. Voor mensen die werken met bouwmaterialen waaruit radon vrijkomt, zoals gips, beton en marmer, lijkt het onwaarschijnlijk dat zij blootstaan aan radonconcentraties hoger dan het referentieniveau.
Verschillende factoren bepalen het risico voor de gezondheid van een werknemer die aan een hogere concentratie radon blootstaat. Naast de radonconcentratie hangt het ervan af hoe lang een werknemer op zo'n werkplek is en of de ruimte wordt geventileerd. Dit noemen we de blootstelling. De precieze blootstelling van werknemers in deze beroepsgroepen is nog niet bekend. Het RIVM doet hier verder onderzoek naar.
Radon is een radioactief edelgas dat van nature ontstaat in de bodem en in bouwmaterialen die daarvan zijn gemaakt. Van daaruit kan het vrijkomen in afgesloten ruimten. Radon verandert uit zichzelf in andere radioactieve stoffen. Deze stoffen kunnen gaan vastzitten aan stofdeeltjes in de lucht. Als mensen deze stofdeeltjes inademen, blijven ze achter in de longen. Dit vergroot de kans om longkanker te krijgen.
Dit literatuuronderzoek is uitgevoerd op verzoek van het ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (SZW).
Radon is present in the air in almost all buildings in the Netherlands. In comparison with most other countries, the concentration of radon in the Netherlands is low, also in workplaces. However, for some professions, workers in the workplace can be exposed to concentrations of radon that are higher than in most workplaces. They can even exceed the ‘reference level’ for radon. RIVM has carried out a study to identify those professions in the Netherlands where Dutch workers are possibly exposed to higher concentrations of radon, in particular where the concentration might be higher than the reference level. Generally speaking, the likelihood of this occurring is small, but it turns out to be higher in underground workplaces and workplaces dealing with groundwater. These include professions such as archaeologists and geoscientists as well as employees of drinking water processing plants and fish farms. Persons working in a horticultural glasshouse in which crops are fertilised with CO2 are potentially also exposed to higher concentrations of radon. It seems unlikely that persons working with building materials that release radon, such as plaster, concrete and marble, are exposed to radon concentrations that exceed the reference level. Various factors determine the health risk for a worker who is exposed to higher concentrations of radon. In addition to the concentration of radon, the duration of the worker’s stay in the workplace and the degree of ventilation of the workplace also influence the health risk. This is referred to as the exposure. The precise exposure of workers in these professions is not yet known. RIVM is carrying out a further assessment of this issue. Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is formed naturally in the soil and in building materials made from soil. It can be released from such materials in enclosed spaces. Radon is automatically converted into other radioactive substances. These substances may become adsorbed to dust particles present in the air. If persons inhale these dust particles, they remain behind in the lungs. This increases the risk of developing lung cancer. This study was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW).
Radon is present in the air in almost all buildings in the Netherlands. In comparison with most other countries, the concentration of radon in the Netherlands is low, also in workplaces. However, for some professions, workers in the workplace can be exposed to concentrations of radon that are higher than in most workplaces. They can even exceed the ‘reference level’ for radon. RIVM has carried out a study to identify those professions in the Netherlands where Dutch workers are possibly exposed to higher concentrations of radon, in particular where the concentration might be higher than the reference level. Generally speaking, the likelihood of this occurring is small, but it turns out to be higher in underground workplaces and workplaces dealing with groundwater. These include professions such as archaeologists and geoscientists as well as employees of drinking water processing plants and fish farms. Persons working in a horticultural glasshouse in which crops are fertilised with CO2 are potentially also exposed to higher concentrations of radon. It seems unlikely that persons working with building materials that release radon, such as plaster, concrete and marble, are exposed to radon concentrations that exceed the reference level. Various factors determine the health risk for a worker who is exposed to higher concentrations of radon. In addition to the concentration of radon, the duration of the worker’s stay in the workplace and the degree of ventilation of the workplace also influence the health risk. This is referred to as the exposure. The precise exposure of workers in these professions is not yet known. RIVM is carrying out a further assessment of this issue. Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is formed naturally in the soil and in building materials made from soil. It can be released from such materials in enclosed spaces. Radon is automatically converted into other radioactive substances. These substances may become adsorbed to dust particles present in the air. If persons inhale these dust particles, they remain behind in the lungs. This increases the risk of developing lung cancer. This study was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW).
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Publisher
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu RIVM