Based on the existing legislation on radiation protection and nuclear safety, as well as on the European and international obligations of Cyprus, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service monitors the levels of activity concentration of radon in workplaces, in order to determine the exposure of workers to radiation from radon, but also in other dwellings, to determine the exposure of the general population. These levels should not exceed as an annual average specific reference levels set for both workers and the general population in
the Protection against Ionising Radiation and Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security legislation, in line with the Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, establishing basic safety standards for the protection against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. Based on global data of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), more than half the collective radiation dose received by individuals from natural and artificial sources of radiation is due to exposure to radon. Thus, when calculating the total radiation dose that an individual receives from all natural and artificial sources of radiation, the contribution from radon and its decay radioisotopes should be always taken into consideration.
Indoors, air may contain radon, which is produced in the rocks of the earth's crust and diffuses towards the surface through soil pores, cavities and cracks. Generally, radon concentration is greater in underground or ground rooms of buildings located in granite areas and increases as it is trapped in specific places, such as basements, cellars, etc.
In Cyprus, radon concentration indoors is systematically measured by the Radiation Inspection and Control Service of the Department of Labour Inspection, as well as by various other institutions and laboratories (e.g. the University of Cyprus, the Frederick University, the Geological Survey Department, other researchers). Based on the results of these measurements, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service has prepared maps, showing the concentration of radon indoors in various regions of Cyprus, with priority being given to the most densely populated areas of Cyprus (large urban centers). These maps have been prepared with the assistance of the Geological Survey Department.
In some countries in northern and central Europe, the issue with radon is particularly important (Cornwall, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, etc.). In Cyprus, we do not observe radon concentrations exceeding the reference level established as an annual mean concentration, due to the formation of rocks and the weather conditions allowing frequent and prolonged ventilation of indoor areas.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service has also issued relevant
information material (in Greek).
In Cyprus, radon concentration indoors is systematically measured by the Radiation Inspection and Control Service of the Department of Labour Inspection, as well as by various other institutions and laboratories (e.g. the University of Cyprus, the Frederick University, the Geological Survey Department, other researchers). Based on the results of these measurements, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service has prepared maps, showing the concentration of radon indoors in various regions of Cyprus, with priority being given to the most densely populated areas of Cyprus (large urban centers). These maps have been prepared with the assistance of the Geological Survey Department.
In some countries in northern and central Europe, the issue with radon is particularly important (Cornwall, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, etc.). In Cyprus, we do not observe radon concentrations exceeding the reference level established as an annual mean concentration, due to the formation of rocks and the weather conditions allowing frequent and prolonged ventilation of indoor areas.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service has also issued relevant
information material (in Greek).
In Cyprus, radon concentration indoors is systematically measured by the Radiation Inspection and Control Service of the Department of Labour Inspection, as well as by various other institutions and laboratories (e.g. the University of Cyprus, the Frederick University, the Geological Survey Department, other researchers). Based on the results of these measurements, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service has prepared maps, showing the concentration of radon indoors in various regions of Cyprus, with priority being given to the most densely populated areas of Cyprus (large urban centers). These maps have been prepared with the assistance of the Geological Survey Department.
In some countries in northern and central Europe, the issue with radon is particularly important (Cornwall, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, etc.). In Cyprus, we do not observe radon concentrations exceeding the reference level established as an annual mean concentration, due to the formation of rocks and the weather conditions allowing frequent and prolonged ventilation of indoor areas.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service has also issued relevant
information material (in Greek).
In Cyprus, radon concentration indoors is systematically measured by the Radiation Inspection and Control Service of the Department of Labour Inspection, as well as by various other institutions and laboratories (e.g. the University of Cyprus, the Frederick University, the Geological Survey Department, other researchers). Based on the results of these measurements, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service has prepared maps, showing the concentration of radon indoors in various regions of Cyprus, with priority being given to the most densely populated areas of Cyprus (large urban centers). These maps have been prepared with the assistance of the Geological Survey Department.
In some countries in northern and central Europe, the issue with radon is particularly important (Cornwall, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, etc.). In Cyprus, we do not observe radon concentrations exceeding the reference level established as an annual mean concentration, due to the formation of rocks and the weather conditions allowing frequent and prolonged ventilation of indoor areas.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service has also issued relevant
information material (in Greek).
In Cyprus, radon concentration indoors is systematically measured by the Radiation Inspection and Control Service of the Department of Labour Inspection, as well as by various other institutions and laboratories (e.g. the University of Cyprus, the Frederick University, the Geological Survey Department, other researchers). Based on the results of these measurements, the Radiation Inspection and Control Service has prepared maps, showing the concentration of radon indoors in various regions of Cyprus, with priority being given to the most densely populated areas of Cyprus (large urban centers). These maps have been prepared with the assistance of the Geological Survey Department.
In some countries in northern and central Europe, the issue with radon is particularly important (Cornwall, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, etc.). In Cyprus, we do not observe radon concentrations exceeding the reference level established as an annual mean concentration, due to the formation of rocks and the weather conditions allowing frequent and prolonged ventilation of indoor areas.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service has also issued relevant
information material (in Greek).
In March 2018, the European Commission has posted on its
REMAP website, on an interactive map, indoors radon concentration measurements from Cyprus. The measurements concern the four cities of Cyprus, where most of the population lives. In the future, measurements will be available for the rest of Cyprus.