Radiation safety in practices causing exposure to natural radiation

Section 45 of the Finnish Radiation Act (592/1991) prescribes that the party running a radiation practice (hereafter the responsible party) shall investigate radiation exposure due to natural radiation if there is reasonable cause to suspect that the practice is a radiation practice. The guide specifies the action levels and the maximum values to be applied for the purpose of limiting radiation exposure, and the relevant operational guidelines. The guide also prescribes how to organize monitoring of working conditions and medical surveillance in a practice causing exposure to natural radiation. Furthermore, guidelines are given in order to limit the exposure of the public. The guide shall not apply to the use of nuclear energy intended in the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987), such as mining and rock dressing operations for the purpose of producing uranium or thorium, or to the export or import of ores or ore concentrates containing uranium or thorium. The guide shall not apply to the exposure of flight personnel to cosmic radiation, or exposure of the users of water containing radioactive substances for household use. Guidelines for the limitation of radiation exposure due to radioactivity in construction materials, fuel peat and peat ash are laid down in Guide ST 12.2. The concepts, quantities and units found in this Guide are defined in the Appendix