The fact that the Galician community is the one that suffers the highest levels of radon in all of Spain has promoted an agreement between the technological center ITG with the Galician Radon Laboratoryfrom the University of Santiago to include the measurement of radon gas among its services. This collaboration will allow monitoring the presence of this radioactive gas considered second cause of lung cancer.
Since June of this year it is mandatory measure the concentration of radon in premises, buildings or spaces not intended for residential use. Under this agreement, the team specializing in indoor air quality measurement at the ITG technology center, only market partner in Spain of the international WELL certificatewill collaborate with the Radon Laboratory of Galicia, with more than 25 years of experience and the second Spanish accredited by ENAC (National Accreditation Entity) for trace measurement and the first for continuous radon measurement.
The person responsible for developing the WELL certification at ITG, Inés Aguilar, explains that the signing of this agreement allows us to offer a warranty serviceAt the same time, they are “very proud to work alongside the Galicia Radon Laboratory team, one of the most prestigious and with the most experience in the study of radon in our country,” she said.
The work in the Performance Verification of those buildings that wish to be certified with WELL includes, among other aspects, measurements of quality, water, thermal comfort, acoustics or lighting, and air sampling, so with this agreement they add experience in this field “to the prestige and capacity ” from the Galician Radon Laboratory.
Regulations
Radon is a radioactive gas that is undetectable to smell or sightcompared to whose prolonged exposure is the second cause of lung cancer in the world, behind smoking, being the first cause of natural origin. “Luckily it is easy to avoid their concentration,” since a good ventilation system and air out the spaces where it is present it is usually sufficient. However, in order to take action it is necessary to know if there is a dangerous concentration of the gas.
Galicia is the region with the highest concentration of this gas since it emanates, naturally, through the granitic rock, being one of the most exposed areas along with Extremadura, Castilla y León and some areas of Madrid. Its prolonged exposure can cause serious respiratory diseases, but it is true that there are also many mechanisms to mitigate its effects, according to Inés Aguilar.
To address this, last June it came into force Royal Decree 1029/2022, approved on December 22, 2022, approving the Regulation on health protection against the risks derived from exposure to ionizing radiation. This regulation requires companies to protect the health of their employees against exposure to radon, preventing their facilities from exceeding the limits. 300 Bq/m3 annual average concentration.
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