RER9127 Regional Meeting to Review Radon Programmes in Europe Republic of Macedonia National and Demographic Data • Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It shares borders with Srbija and Kosovo to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. • total area of 25.713 km 2 , and total population of 2.022.547 (2002 official census). • The ethnic distribution of the population of Macedonia is: 64,5% Macedonians, 25.2% Albanians, 3.8% Turks, 2.7% Roma, 1.8% Serbs, 2.1% others. National and Demographic Data • Almost 60% Macedonian population lives in the urban areas, while the rest 40% lives in the rural areas. • The most densly populated areas are the northwestern parts (Skopje, and the neighbouring cities Tetovo, Kumanovo), then southwestern part (Kichevo, Ohrid, Bitola), and respectibly the region of Povardarie (Veles, Stip, Strumica). • The least populated areas are: the eastern part of Macedonia (Maleshevo), and Mariovo and Demir Hisar area (south-central part of Macedonia). Geography and Climate • Macedonia is geographically clearly defined by a central valley formed by the Vardar river and framed along its borders by mountain ranges. • Mount Korab of the Šar Mountains on the Albanian border, at 2,764 m is the tallest mountain in Macedonia. • Republic of Macedonia has a a rich geology depositions, dating from the lower cambrian to the modern cenozoic era. The sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks from lower cambrian to the newest cenosoic era are widespread through the country. Macedonia is rich in low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, silver, asbestos, and gypsum. • The climate from Mediterranean to continental. The summers are hot and dry, and the winters are moderately cold. There are three main climatic zones in the country: temperate Mediterranean, mountainous, and continental- submediterranean. The warmest regions are Demir Kapija and Gevgelija, where the temperature in July and August frequently exceeds 40 °C. The spring is colder than the fall. National Housing Stock • The total population, households and dwellings distribution in the Republic of Macedonia, according to the last census (2002) is as follows: • Total population: 2,022,547 • Households (including the institutional ones): 564,296 • Dwellings (all types of living quarters): 698,143 • About 2/3 of the total households and dwellings are located in the urban areas, and the rest 1/3 of them are located in the rural areas. Legislation/regulations Ionizing radiation protection and safety Act • Regulations on radionuclides in metals, building materials, fertilizers, ashes from the thermo power plants and the residues from mines and melting industry (98/20120) • Regulations on exposure levels (29/2010) Legislation/regulations Workplaces: • Rn action level - 400Bq/m 3 (1600h/year) • Dose constrains – 0.3 mSv/year Dwellings: • Rn action level - 400Bq/m 3 (existing dwellings) • Rn action level - 200Bq/m 3 (new dwellings) • Action level for exposure from building materials - 0.3 mSv/year Water supply • Rn investigation level- 1000Bq/l • Po-210 investigation level- 0.1Bq/l • Pb-210 investigation level- 0.2Bq/l Radon in homes 2007- 2008: National Project MAAK 7002 of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Institute of Public Health of RM; 2008 - 2009: Institute of Public Health has undertaken a initial survey of indoor radon concentration Radon in homes radon concentrations in 437 dwellings Measurement Distribution and measurement Detectors Counting of the Analysis of Detector analysis distribution tracks results Upon the exposition of the measuring time (3 mouths), the detectors were collect; the Cr-39 chips were etched in 25% NaOH solution at 92 °C for 4- 5h. Mapping by municipalities Distribution of measurements Radon in civil engineering Ionizing radiation protection and safety Act • Regulations on radionuclides in metals, building materials, fertilizers, ashes from the thermo power plants and the residues from mines and melting industry (98/20120) I < 0.5 for unrestricted use of building materials 0.5<I<2 for limited use Radon programe In 2014 new National Radon Programme - Adopted by the Government - Multisectorial approach coordinated by Institute of Public Health Objectives: National survey of indor Radon through the country Mapping Radon in schools, kindergartens and health care centers s a first priority Establish national Radon database Radon in soil (active measurements) Develop informational and communication materials focused on general population, construction companies and health workers. Raising awareness for Radon testing and smoking related information.