Exploring experiences and challenges in implementing youth participatory action research in Norwegian lower secondary schools

Most empirical knowledge on the processes and challenges of conducting youth participatory action research (YPAR) in the school setting stems from research in the US; only a few studies exist among European youth. In addition, what youth participation looks like in YPAR is rarely described. The present study investigates the experiences of implementing a Junior-researcher YPAR initiative from the perspectives of students and teachers in five ninth-grade classes in Norway. We also observed two of the classes throughout the process. The findings from interviews and observations showed that the Junior-researcher mostly promoted a sound experience of participation and knowledge production among the students. However, students and teachers were not familiarized with a YPAR designed to promote unstructured learning methods and student autonomy, or to limit teacher involvement. The present results illustrate some of the challenges youth participatory approaches may face in a school context.publishedVersio

European Atlas of Natural Radiation

Natural ionizing radiation is considered as the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world population. The human population is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources that can be classified into two broad categories: high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and radioactive nuclides generated during the formation of the Earth and still present in the Earth’s crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium and thorium radioactive families together with potassium. In most circumstances, radon, a noble gas produced in the radioactive decay of uranium, is the most important contributor to the total dose. This Atlas aims to present the current state of knowledge of natural radioactivity, by giving general background information, and describing its various sources. This reference material is complemented by a collection of maps of Europe displaying the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources. It is a compilation of contributions and reviews received from more than 80 experts in their field: they come from universities, research centres, national and European authorities and international organizations. This Atlas provides reference material and makes harmonized datasets available to the scientific community and national competent authorities. In parallel, this Atlas may serve as a tool for the public to: • familiarize itself with natural radioactivity; • be informed about the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources; • have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor; • and make direct comparisons between doses from natural sources of ionizing radiation and those from man-made (artificial) ones, hence to better understand the latter.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

European Atlas of Natural Radiation

Natural ionizing radiation is considered as the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world population. The human population is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources that can be classified into two broad categories: high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and radioactive nuclides generated during the formation of the Earth and still present in the Earth’s crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium and thorium radioactive families together with potassium. In most circumstances, radon, a noble gas produced in the radioactive decay of uranium, is the most important contributor to the total dose.This Atlas aims to present the current state of knowledge of natural radioactivity, by giving general background information, and describing its various sources. This reference material is complemented by a collection of maps of Europe displaying the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources. It is a compilation of contributions and reviews received from more than 80 experts in their field: they come from universities, research centres, national and European authorities and international organizations.This Atlas provides reference material and makes harmonized datasets available to the scientific community and national competent authorities. In parallel, this Atlas may serve as a tool for the public to: • familiarize itself with natural radioactivity;• be informed about the levels of natural radioactivity caused by different sources;• have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor;• and make direct comparisons between doses from natural sources of ionizing radiation and those from man-made (artificial) ones, hence to better understand the latter.Additional information at: https://remon.jrc.ec.europa.eu/About/Atlas-of-Natural-Radiatio

Radon dose conversion coefficients and their use in the Nordic countries : Nordic-Nat Report 03/2024

The dose conversion coefficients for radon published by the ICRP in 2018 caused some puzzlement among many radiation protection authorities, as doses for the same radon exposure would be twice as high, and in some cases even higher. This may lead to an increased number of workplaces being considered as a planned exposure situations and requiring a safety license under the EU-BSS directive. Furthermore, the credibility of the authority may suffer in the eyes of those workplaces with elevated radon levels if a concentration level previously considered safe enough is no longer acceptable. A further complication factor is that the ICRP and UNSCEAR each have their own, different dose conversion coefficients. The problem is not confined to workplaces. Radiation protection authorities often publish dose pie charts of the mean effective doses received by the public annually. In these, radon typically accounts for a large proportion, but with the latest dose conversion coefficients from the ICRP, radon can account for the majority of the total dose. At the same time, the effective dose to the population can almost double. How should this change in effective dose be explained to the public and the media? This report emphasizes that the effective dose is not a measure of risk, but a tool used in radiation protection work to monitor compliance with dose limits or dose constraints when radiation exposure comes from different sources. In addition, the effective dose is a useful tool for optimizing radiation protection in order to target measures to reduce radiation exposure in a cost-effective way. It should also be noted that in the case of radon, there is an exposure-response relationship for long-term exposure to different radon concentrations (time integral of radon concentration) and risk of lung cancer. Therefore, it is not necessary to make a risk assessment based on effective dose, but to use data directly from epidemiological studies. It is also emphasized that in the case of radon exposure, smoking is particularly important in assessing the risk to an individual, so that the effective dose is a particularly poor tool for assessing the health risk due to radon exposure to an individual. This report summarises the current approaches in Finland, Sweden and Norway for estimating the effective dose from indoor radon in workplaces and dwellings, and for radon in drinking water. So far, Denmark and Iceland have not had the need for dose assessment for radon exposure and are therefore not covered in this report. For occupational exposure to radon in indoor air, the working group recommends that all Nordic countries, including non-EU member states, adopt the effective dose assessment method outlined in ICRP 137 from the radiation protection point of view. The current monitoring practices and reference values specified in existing Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian legislation allow for the application of the dose conversion coefficient from ICRP 137 with minimal impact. For managing radon exposure in the home, effective doses are not recommended. Instead focus should remain on radon activity concentration, as risk assessment for radon exposure is based on epidemiological evidence. If a "dose pie chart" is published to compare different sources of radiation, it is essential to highlight the three points outlined in the previous paragraph. In addition, the caption should clearly state that the risk assessment for radon is not based on the effective dose. For ingested radon, the working group recommends that the latest ICRP dose conversion coefficients, based on recent scientific findings, be used in the future

Overview of radon management in the Nordic countries : Nordic-Nat Report 01- 2024.

The aim of this document has been to make an overview of radon management and have a closer look at the similarities and differences between the Nordic countries in this matter. The document is not exhaustive but will be useful for the Nordic co-operation and serves as a basis for further discussions and work to achieve our goals given in the mandate of the Nordic-Nat group. When comparing typical radon activity concentrations e.g. in dwellings, drinking water, etc. it can be seen that the challenges are relatively similar in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Denmark has a less widespread problem, and the radon activity concentrations are generally lower, but the problem is definitely present. In Iceland several national surveys have shown that the radon activity concentrations both in indoor air and drinking water are overall very low. However, comparisons between surveys or individually measured buildings in the different countries must be made with caution. That is one of the reasons that this document will be very useful. For instance, this study has shown that the measurement procedures vary between the Nordic countries. One example is that the seasonal correction factor varies between 0.75 and 1 (no correction). Further, the reference level in Denmark and Sweden refers to an average of measurements in the dwelling, while in Norway it refers to each single living- and bedroom. In Finland, the radon activity concentration in dwellings was reported as the average of the measurement results according to the housing health guidelines until 2016. At that time, the application guide for housing health legislation was updated, in which radon was no longer mentioned. In practice, the outdated guideline has still been in use. The reference level for existing dwellings and premises where the public have access varies between 100 and 300 Bq/m3 and limit/reference values in new buildings between 100 and 200 Bq/m3. Norway differs from the other countries in having a two-part system of reference values. Further, there are differences between the countries in how long the limit/reference values given in the national building regulations for a new building apply. In Denmark it applies as long as the building exists, and consequently all buildings constructed according to the provisions in Building Regulations 2010 or later are subject to the limit value of 100 Bq/m3. In Finland, the reference value for new buildings is usually valid for 10 years after completion. In Norway the regulations apply until the certificate of completion is issued, but with a general warranty period of 5 years. In Sweden, the requirement must be met in such a way that with normal maintenance the requirement can be assumed to continue to be met for an economically reasonable lifetime of the building, in accordance with 8 chapter, 5 section 2 item in the Planning and Building Act (SFS, 2010:900). Should the requirement become stricter in the future for new buildings, you cannot be obliged to upgrade the building. In addition to the limit value, solutions for preventive measures in new buildings are mandatory and specifically mentioned in the regulation in Norway. In Denmark, Finland and Sweden, the limit/reference values are given in the regulations, and guidance material is provided on how to fulfil the regulatory limit values by means of preventive measures. In Sweden, the national grants for radon remediation in dwellings that were offered by the authorities in two periodes, 1988-2015 and 2018-2021 have been discontinued. The general tax deduction for craftsman services in private dwellings still exists. Similar general tax deductions are offered in Finland. In Denmark the tax deduction option for costs related to radon mitigation measures in existing dwellings, was abolished in April 2022. In Norway no grants or tax deductions are offered. 6 Denmark, Finland and Sweden all have reference levels and/or limit values for workplaces stated in national regulations. In Norway the workplace is regulated in general terms in the regulations and reference values are given in guidance material. When it comes to drinking water the recommendations and requirements also differ between the countries. For waterworks the quality requirements of radon activity concentration are either 100 or 1000 Bq/L. The countries with the highest quality requirements levels have a quality target value of 100 or 300 Bq/L. For private wells there are no requirements, but the quality recommendations vary between 500 and 1000 Bq/L. Finland, Denmark and Sweden have implemented reference levels for doses caused by gamma radiation in new buildings and building materials in the national regulations. In Norway gamma radiation in buildings and building material is not regulated

Chapter 5: Radon

Natural ionising radiation is considered the largest contributor to the collective effective dose received by the world’s population. Man is continuously exposed to ionising radiation from several sources that can be grouped into two categories: first, high-energy cosmic rays incident on the Earth’s atmosphere and releasing secondary radiation (cosmic contribution); and, second, radioactive nuclides generated when the Earth was formed and still present in its crust (terrestrial contribution). Terrestrial radioactivity is mostly produced by the uranium (U) and thorium (Th) radioactive families together with potassium (40K), a long-lived radioactive isotope of the elemental potassium. In most cases, radon (222Rn), a noble gas produced by radioactive decay of the 238U progeny, is the major contributor to the total dose. This European Atlas of Natural Radiation has been conceived and developed as a tool for the public to become familiar with natural radioactivity; be informed about the levels of such radioactivity caused by different sources; and have a more balanced view of the annual dose received by the world’s population, to which natural radioactivity is the largest contributor. At the same time, it provides reference material and generates harmonised data, both for the scientific community and national competent authorities. Intended as an encyclopaedia of natural radioactivity, the Atlas describes the different sources of such radioactivity, cosmic and terrestrial, and represents the state-of-the art of this topic. In parallel, it contains a collection of maps of Europe showing the levels of natural sources of radiation. This work unfolds as a sequence of chapters: the rationale behind; some necessary background information; terrestrial radionuclides; radon; radionuclides in water and river sediments; radionuclides in food; cosmic radiation and cosmogenic radionuclides. The final chapter delivers the overall goal of the Atlas: a population-weighted average of the annual effective dose due to natural sources of radon, estimated for each European country as well as for all of them together, giving, therefore, an overall European estimate. As a complement, this introductory chapter offers an overview of the legal basis and requirements on protecting the public from exposure to natural radiation sources. In Europe, radiation has a long tradition. Based on the Euratom Treaty, the European Atomic Energy Community early established a set of legislation for protecting the public against dangers arising from artificial ('man-made') ionising radiation, but this scope has since been extended to include natural radiation. Indeed, the recently modernised and consolidated Basic Safety Standards Directive from 2013 contains detailed provisions on the protection from all natural radiation sources, including radon, cosmic rays, natural radionuclides in building material, and naturally occurring radioactive material