The basic task of radiation protection is to protect people and the environment from ionizing radiation.

Our activities within radiation protection are diverse. In addition to the official monitoring of the environment and food for radioactivity, these include the official emission monitoring of nuclear facilities as well as the technical support of the ministries BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology) and BMSGPK (Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection). In addition, we run the Austrian expert center for radon as well as the reference center for technical quality assurance in the breast cancer screening program.

Our experienced experts provide individual advice in many important areas of radiation protection. All our services and consulting are based on the current state of the art in science and technology, in accordance with the applicable law and are adapted to your current problem.

We are your accredited partner for services in radiation protection. Our experts also act as experts. They are represented in international and national committees and carry out focus measurements. Our expert services are also available to private-sector clients. This includes, for example, dose assessments for natural radioactivity and at the workplace, drinking water and food investigations, expert opinions, radon measurements or export certificates.

An overview of our fields of activity can be found in the information folder: "Our range of services in radiation protection".

Webshop

The (StrSchG) and the Radon Protection Ordinance (RnV) regulate the limitation of radon exposure (naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas) and the protection of employees. This applies to waterworks, radon health resorts and spas, underground workplaces without sufficient weathering - e.g. mines, display mines and caves, and general workplaces in radon protection areas in accordance with the RnV on the first floor and basement level.

Radon measurements are an important instrument for protection against radon and provide reliable information about the actual radon concentration. If elevated values are detected, measures can be initiated to reduce the radon concentration.

We offer customer-specific radon measurements in private households and at workplaces. In the course of determining the radon concentration at the workplace, we clarify your investigation needs in a consultation, such as the selection of relevant work areas and measurement locations and the necessary number of radon detectors. Based on this, we carry out radon measurements and, if required, a dose assessment and prepare a test report that can be submitted to the authorities.

We offer both non-time-resolved radon measurements with passive radon detectors to determine the average radon concentration in indoor air and time-resolved radon measurements with electronic radon measuring devices in the accredited area. Time-resolved measurements can be helpful, for example, when checking measures implemented to optimise radon concentration.

Non-time-resolved radon measurements are carried out with passive radon detectors. These detectors are not dangerous, do not cause any noise and do not emit any radiation. The radon detectors are sent to you by post together with measurement instructions. The detectors are set up by you in the rooms to be measured. At the end of the measurement period, you send the detectors back to us and you receive the results of your measurement as a test report.

The time-resolved radon measurements are carried out using calibrated AlphaGUARD or AlphaE electronic radon measuring devices, depending on the ambient conditions prevailing at the installation site (e.g. humidity). These measuring devices are not dangerous, do not cause any noise and do not emit any radiation. The radon measuring devices can be sent to you by mail order, alternatively you can collect the measuring devices in person from the AGES site in Linz. The radon measuring devices are set up by you in the rooms to be measured. At the end of the measurement period, we will arrange for the measuring devices to be collected or you can bring them back in person. You will then receive the results of your measurement as a test report. The test report contains the mean value, minimum and maximum value of the radon concentration during the measurement period as well as the documented time curve. If you require answers to specific questions (e.g. the prevailing average radon concentration during working hours), you can order additional special analyses from us.

For general workplaces and private households, the measurement period must be at least six months, with at least half of the measurement period taking place in the winter months (October 15 to April 15). The background for this regulation is that the radon concentration in indoor spaces can fluctuate strongly on a seasonal basis. A representative value of the average radon concentration can be determined by a long-term measurement.

Good time intervals are approximately either mid-December to the end of June or mid-July to the end of January. This way you comply with the legal requirements of the measurement and get a representative average radon concentration in the measured indoor space.

For special workplaces, a measurement period of at least 2 months applies.

The measurement location also differs depending on the area. In private households, measurements should be taken in the two most frequently used living rooms. In general workplaces, all workplaces on the ground floor or in the basement should be measured. For special workplaces, the measurement locations and number of measurements should be determined individually. Our experienced experts will advise you on the selection of the relevant workplaces and measuring points.

After measuring the radon concentration in accordance with the Radon Protection Ordinance, the test results are assessed. If the reference value of 300 Bq/m³ is exceeded, optimisation measures must be taken to reduce the radon concentration. (Bq stands for the physical unit "becquerel" and corresponds to the average number of radon nuclei that decay radioactively per second) If the control measurement shows that radon concentrations above 300 Bq/m³ still prevail despite optimisation measures, a dose estimate must be carried out. If this results in a possible annual dose of over 6 mSv/a, a precise dose calculation is carried out for the employee concerned. (Sv stands for the physical unit "Sievert" and is a measure of the radiation exposure of the human body)

To order non-time-resolved radon measurements, please visit our webshop.

To order time-resolved radon measurements, please contact radon@ages.at.

Further information on radon can be found here.

Our Radiation Protection and Radiochemistry Department is an Authorized Monitoring Body with regard to activities involving naturally occurring radioactive materials in accordance with the Radiation Protection Act and is accredited as a testing laboratory in accordance with EN ISO 17025*. As part of the dose assessment at the workplace, we clarify your exact examination requirements, such as the selection of relevant workplaces, in a detailed consultation. Subsequently, the work processes are recorded and a measurement plan is drawn up. The situation in companies and at their workplaces is naturally very different, which is why we will provide you with an individual offer, adapted to your needs.

The General Radiation Protection Ordinance 2020 (AllgStrSchV 2020) provides for the inspection and assessment of work areas with potentially increased exposure to uranium, thorium and their decay products. Such work areas may occur, for example, in the processing of rock phosphates in the chemical and fertilizer industries, in industrial and commercial activities involving residues, or in the production of TiO2 pigments from minerals such as illmenite or rutile. Our experienced experts select the relevant workplaces on the basis of the work processes and on-site measurements with officially calibrated radiation measuring instruments and draw up a measurement plan. Sampling of raw materials and residues (waste, if applicable) complements the dose assessment, which is carried out in accordance with ÖNORM S 5223*. Subsequently, we will be pleased to advise you on the handling, storage and disposal of working materials and possible residues. In addition, we offer you radiation protection optimization of work processes and support vis-à-vis authorities.

* The conformity assessment bodies are accredited by the Accreditation Austria (Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Economic Location) for the areas listed in the notification and published at www.bmdw.gv.at according to Annex 1 of the applicable GTC.

The Radon and Radioecology Department of AGES is an authorized monitoring body for radon according to the Radiation Protection Act and accredited as a testing body according to EN ISO/IEC 17025*. In the course of determining the radon concentration at the workplace, we clarify your investigation needs in a consultation, such as the selection of relevant work areas and measurement locations and the necessary number of radon detectors. Based on this, we carry out radon measurements and, if required, a dose assessment and prepare a test report that can be submitted to the authorities.

The Radiation Protection Act (StrSchG) and the Radon Protection Ordinance (RnV) regulate the limitation of radon exposure (naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas) and the protection of employees (applies to waterworks, radon health resorts and spas, underground workplaces without sufficient weathering - e.g. mines, display mines and caves as well as to general workplaces in radon protection areas according to RnV in EC and KG).

Our experienced AGES experts will advise you on the selection of relevant workplaces and measurement sites. After the measurement of the radon concentration according to the Radon Protection Ordinance, the assessment of the test results is carried out. If the reference value of 300 Bq/m³ was exceeded, optimization measures must be taken to reduce the radon concentration. If the control measurement shows that radon concentrations above 300 Bq/m³ still prevail despite optimization measures, a dose assessment must be carried out. If the dose assessment shows a possible annual dose of more than 6 mSv/a, an exact dose assessment is carried out for the affected employee.

* The conformity assessment bodies are accredited by Accreditation Austria (Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Economic Location) for the areas listed in the notification and published at www.bmdw.gv.at according to Annex 1 of the applicable GTCs.

Our Radon and Radioecology Department, in cooperation with the Upper Austrian Provincial Government and the Wels University of Applied Sciences, offers a course on "Radon - Prevention and Remediation" for building professionals. The course explains the radon problem in apartments and houses and conveys both the principles of preventive radon protection in new buildings and important knowledge for the planning and implementation of radon remediation measures in existing buildings.

• Planners and executors: Architects, construction managers, civil engineers, construction biologists, construction technicians, structural engineers, civil engineers, planning master builders and employees of engineering offices.
• construction companies, building contractors, craftsmen and women, energy consultants

To the course

Our Radon and Radioecology Department is also happy to offer individual training courses on the subject of radon. The topics of measurement and assessment, radon precautionary measures for new buildings as well as remediation measures for existing buildings can be discussed. Please contact us to arrange an individual program for your company.

We carry out determinations of the indicator parameter "radioactivity" in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance (TWV).

Further information on the subject of drinking water, as well as our other offers in the field of drinking water testing can be found here.

Our Radiation Protection and Radiochemistry Department Vienna is accredited as a testing laboratory according to EN ISO 17025. In the course of a detailed consultation, we clarify your exact examination requirements, such as the determination of the various radiological and non-radiological parameters. Based on this, we carry out a careful analysis and issue the required export certificates.

For the export of your food, feed or fertilizer, you need accredited proof that your products do not contain any increased artificial radioactivity (cesium-137, cesium-134, strontium-90) or natural radionuclides (uranium) and that they comply with the legal guideline values. Our experienced experts determine the alpha, beta and gamma emitting radionuclides of the samples. Furthermore, all necessary non-radiological parameters of the food, feed or fertilizer are determined. Subsequently, we prepare the export certificate on the basis of the test results (test certificate consisting of test report and evaluation) or the submitted documents (test reports, specifications, etc.) in German and English.

Our laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art measurement systems in the fields of high-resolution gamma spectrometry, low-level liquid scintillation spectrometry, alpha spectrometry and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). With this equipment as well as our knowledge acquired over many years, we provide you with reliable measurement results and findings.

The Radiation Protection Act and the General Radiation Protection Ordinance require every company that handles radioactive substances to conduct a safety analysis to demonstrate the protection of workers and the general public. Our experienced experts will advise you on the selection and review of the necessary documents as well as on the requirements and conditions for handling radioactive materials. Depending on the type of procedure, we will prepare the necessary expert reports, dose assessments and safety analysis for you. We offer fast and competent preparation of applications to the authorities (safety analysis, accident and emergency analysis, expert opinions, work instructions) and support you with technical questions during negotiations.

As part of the Austrian Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BKFP ), the Reference Center for Technical Quality Assurance ( RefZQS ) within the Radiation Protection Business Unit carries out technical quality assurance in accordance with EUREF Ö guidelines. In this way, RefZQS ensures compliance with the high quality requirements for the X-ray and peripheral equipment used as well as the ultrasound equipment of the participating specialists in radiology, as specified in the"European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis". The background to this is the quality-assured, uniformly organized, population-based breast cancer screening program (BKFP) introduced in Austria on January 1, 2014. The aim is to reduce breast cancer mortality and to ensure improved chances of cure and gentler treatment methods for women in Austria.

This link leads to a protected area where measurement protocols and instructions can be downloaded. If you need access to this area, please write your contact details (name, e-mail address, phone number) to our e-mail address, which you can find under Contact on this page.

Download area for technical offices