Deputy-Ombudsman Maija Sakslin states that radon measurements in some workplaces and public facilities have not been conducted according to the measurement obligation. Considering compliance with the legislation on radiation and fulfilling its purpose, the situation is quite unsatisfactory. It seems that there has been an extended period of time of insufficient compliance with the radon measurement obligation. 

Deputy-Ombudsman Sakslin states that, as supervising authority, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) should take measures to improve the efficiency of monitoring activities. Compared to the current situation, monitoring should be more effective and create more results, taking into account the health risk caused by long-term exposure to indoor air with potentially high levels of radon.

It would also be justified to improve communication so that information about the measurement obligation would be as widely known among employers as possible. According to the Deputy-Ombudsman, STUK should also take measures to enable effective cooperation between industrial safety authorities and health protection authorities with regard to monitoring operations.

The full text of decision EOAK/66/2017 made by Deputy-Ombudsman Maija Sakslin has been published (in Finnish) on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.oikeusasiamies.fi.

Further information is available from Senior Legal Adviser Jouni Toivola, tel. +358 9 432 3344.