WRITTEN QUESTION E-2125/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Concentrations of radon in Greece

It has been reported in the press that the Greek Government has failed to carry out a national survey of radon levels in the country, despite the fact that a recent University of Athens research programme has found that even in a town with low concentrations of radon, such as Kalamata, radon concentrations in 5 % of the sites tested by a team of researchers were above the level at which action is deemed necessary. These findings were published in Radiation Protection Dosimetry (Vol. 93, No 1, 2001).

1. Has the Greek Government made any commitments vis-à-vis the EU as far as radon is concerned? If so, is it honouring these commitments?

2. Does the Commission have any information concerning radon levels in Greece and, if so, what information?

3. What is the potential public health risk posed by radon?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2001)

In view of the possible lung cancer risk associated with indoor exposure to high radon concentrations in some regions in Europe, the Commission addressed a Recommendation(1) to Member States in 1990. One of the recommendations is that Member States develop criteria for identifying regions likely to be associated with high indoor radon levels.

In response to this, most Member States have conducted nation-wide surveys in order to determine the extent of the problem and to identify radon-prone areas, and the affected population was informed of the results. There is no obligation for Member States to transmit this information to the Commission.

In addition, with regard to radon in workplaces, Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation(2) requires Member States to identify by means of surveys or any other appropriate means the work activities where the exposure of workers, and as appropriate members of the public, is of concern e.g. in spas, caves, mines, underground workplaces and above-ground workplaces in identified areas (Title VII, Article 40).

The Commission is aware of miscellaneous radon studies in Greece but has not been informed of the results of a nation-wide survey. This does not constitute however a breach of any commitment or legal obligation. While under Article 36 of the Euratom Treaty Member States shall inform the Commission on the levels of radioactivity in air, water and soil, this requirement has never been understood to apply to indoor radon levels, and radon indeed is not mentioned

in the list of radionuclide categories in the Commission Recommendation of 8 June 2000 on the application of Article 36 of the Euratom Treaty concerning the monitoring of the levels of radioactivity in the environment for the purpose of assessing the exposure of the population as a whole(3), and radon decay products are excluded from the category gross beta activity.

The Commission further recommends that Member States define a reference level for consideration of remedial action in existing dwellings at 400 Becquerels per (Bq) Cubic metre (m-3) and inform the public concerned on the remedies available to reduce radon concentrations which are above this action level.

(1) 90/143/Euratom: Commission Recommendation of 21 February 1990 on the protection of the public against indoor exposure to radon.

(2) OJ L 159, 29.6.1996.

(3) OJ L 191, 27.7.2000.