Health protection against the risks of exposure to ionizing radiation

Last December, the BOE published Royal Decree 1029/2022, of December 20, , which approves the Regulation on health protection against the risks derived from exposure to ionizing radiation.

This standard has a scope of application similar to Royal Decree 783/2001, of July 6, which repeals and incorporates the precepts established in Royal Decree 413/1997, of March 21, on operational protection of external workers with risk of exposure to ionizing radiation due to intervention in a controlled area, which is also repealed.

This ensures that external workers receive the same protection as exposed workers employed by a company that carries out practices with radiation sources. 

The current effective dose limits for trainees and members of the public are maintained, but this is not the case for exposed workers, where averaging over five years to ensure compliance with the limits is no longer permitted, except in specified special circumstances. 

In relation to protection against radon, the Government's obligation is established to promote and approve a national plan with the aim of reducing the risk that long-term exposure to this gas poses to the health of the population and it also includes articles on issues such as exposure in closed spaces to gamma radiation emitted by construction materials, exposure of crew personnel of aircraft and special vehicles, deliberate exposure of people to obtain non-medical images or general principles relating to interventions and associated reference levels to emergency exposure situations.