scholarly journals SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF INDOOR RADON CONCENTRATION IN SCHOOLS: IMPLICATIONS ON RADON MEASUREMENT PROTOCOLS

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-137
Author(s):  
Z Curguz ◽  
G Venoso ◽  
Z S Zunic ◽  
D Mirjanic ◽  
M Ampollini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Measurement ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Radon Measurements

Abstract The requirements about radon measurements in schools and public buildings included in most of the national and international legislations are generally restricted to all the rooms located at the ground floor and basement, assuming the soil beneath the building as the main source of indoor radon. In order to verify such an assumption for small buildings having at maximum two floors, a preliminary study was performed in 50 schools located in 15 municipalities of the Republic of Srpska. Results of this study suggest that a protocol requiring measurements at the ground floor only may be considered adequate. Due to the high radon spatial variability for rooms at the ground floor, it is preferable to require measurements in a high number of rooms (preferably in all of them) in order to assess the compliance with the reference level established by the legislation.

scholarly journals A new approach to radon temporal correction factor based on active environmental monitoring devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dicu ◽  
B. D. Burghele ◽  
M. Botoş ◽  
A. Cucoș ◽  
G. Dobrei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Smart Device ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Temporal Correction

AbstractThe present study aims to identify novel means of increasing the accuracy of the estimated annual indoor radon concentration based on the application of temporal correction factors to short-term radon measurements. The necessity of accurate and more reliable temporal correction factors is in high demand, in the present age of speed. In this sense, radon measurements were continuously carried out, using a newly developed smart device accompanied by CR-39 detectors, for one full year, in 71 residential buildings located in 5 Romanian cities. The coefficient of variation for the temporal correction factors calculated for combinations between the start month and the duration of the measurement presented a low value (less than 10%) for measurements longer than 7 months, while a variability close to 20% can be reached by measurements of up to 4 months. Results obtained by generalized estimating equations indicate that average temporal correction factors are positively associated with CO2 ratio, as well as the interaction between this parameter and the month in which the measurement took place. The impact of the indoor-outdoor temperature differences was statistically insignificant. The obtained results could represent a reference point in the elaboration of new strategies for calculating the temporal correction factors and, consequently, the reduction of the uncertainties related to the estimation of the annual indoor radon concentration.

scholarly journals Long-Term Impacts of Weather Conditions on Indoor Radon Concentration Measurements in Switzerland

Atmosphere ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Joan Frédéric Rey ◽  
Stéphane Goyette ◽  
Mauro Gandolla ◽  
Martha Palacios ◽  
Fabio Barazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Prone Area ◽  
Building Characteristics ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Radon Measurements

Radon is a natural and radioactive gas that can accumulate in indoor environments. Indoor radon concentration (IRC) is influenced, among other factors, by meteorology, which is the subject of this paper. Weather parameters impact indoor radon levels and have already been investigated, but rarely in Switzerland. Moreover, there is a strong need for a better understanding of the radon behaviour inside buildings in Switzerland for public health concerns as Switzerland is a radon prone area. Based on long-term, continuous, and hourly radon measurements, radon distributions classified according to different weather event definitions were investigated and then compared at three different study sites in Western Switzerland. Outdoor temperature influences the most indoor radon, and it is globally anti-correlated. Wind influences indoor radon, but it strongly depends on intensity, direction, and building characteristics. Precipitation influences periodically indoor radon levels relatively to their intensity. Atmospheric pressure and relative humidity do not seem to be huge determinants on IRC. Our results are in line with previous findings and provide a vivid example in Western Switzerland. This paper underlines the different influence complexities of radon, and the need to communicate about it within the broader public and with construction professionals, to raise awareness.

scholarly journals Radon measurements with CR-39 track detectors at specific locations in Turkey

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asiye Ulug ◽  
Melek Karabulut ◽  
Nilgün Celebi
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Active Faults ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Arithmetic Means ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
New Buildings ◽  
Main Factor ◽  
Ventilation Conditions ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Indoor radon concentration levels at three sites in Turkey were measured using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors. The annual mean of radon concentration was estimated on the basis of four quarter measurements at specific locations in Turkey. The measuring sites are on the active faults. The results of radon measurements are based on 280 measurements in doors. The annual arithmetic means of radon concentrations at three sites (Isparta Egirdir, and Yalvac) were found to be 164 Bqm?3, 124 Bqm?3, and 112 Bqm?3 respectively, ranging from 78 Bqm?3 to 279 Bqm?3. The in door radon concentrations were investigated with respect to the ventilation conditions and the age of buildings. The ventilation conditions were determined to be the main factor affecting the in door radon concentrations. The in door radon concentrations in the new buildings were higher than ones found in the old buildings.

scholarly journals Indoor radon activity concentration and effective dose rates at schools and thermal spas of Ilgin

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-346
Author(s):  
Mehmet Erdogan ◽  
Murat Abaka ◽  
Kaan Manisa ◽  
Hasan Bircan ◽  
Coskun Kus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Activity ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Basement Floor ◽  
Effective Doses

Indoor radon activity concentrations and radon doses on the ground floor and basement floor of 19 schools (kindergardens, primary schools, secondary schools, and high schools) and thermal spas of Ilgin district in Konya, have been measured using the AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO radon detector, for three days in the first half of 2016. According to the results, while the indoor radon concentration for only one location, in total, is above the Turkish action level of 400 Bqm?3, the values for 10 locations are above the reference level of 100 Bqm?3, recommended by WHO. The calculated annual effective doses for inhalation of the radon in indoor air were also found to be 0.26 ?Sv for the minimum and 4.36 ?Sv for the maximum. The parametric distribution analysis is also performed with 3-parameter Weibull distribution and some remarks are provided on radon concentration activity.

VARIATIONS OF INDOOR RADON CONCENTRATION IN TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN RURAL WOODEN HOUSES

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-222
Author(s):  
Tatiana Petrova ◽  
Petr Miklyaev
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Radon Exhalation Rate ◽  
Exhalation Rate ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Exhalation ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract Continuous indoor radon measurements were carried out in two traditional Russian rural houses located in different villages of the Moscow region in summer of 2017 and 2018. In additional, in the summer of 2017, continuous measurements of soil gas radon activity concentration at depth 0.8 m and radon exhalation rate from the ground surface near the house were performed simultaneously. It was found that the indoor radon concentration in rural houses is subject to strong daily variations, which are characterized by highs at night and lows during the day. Indoor radon concentration is directly proportional to indoor and outdoor temperature difference and inversely proportional to wind speed. While the radon exhalation rate from the ground surface, as well as the ventilation of premises (opening doors and windows) practically do not affect the concentration of radon in Russian rural wooden houses.

scholarly journals Short-Term Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration in Northern Croatia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Ptiček Siročić ◽  
Davor Stanko ◽  
Nikola Sakač ◽  
Dragana Dogančić ◽  
Tomislav Trojko
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Northern Croatia ◽  
Radon Concentrations

(1) Background: Radon concentrations in the environment are generally very low. However, radon concentrations can be high indoors and can cause some serious health issues. The main source of indoor radon (homes, buildings and other residential objects) can be soil under the house, while other sources can be construction materials, groundwater and natural gas. Radon accumulates mainly in the lower levels of the buildings (especially low-ventilated underground levels and basements). (2) Methods: in this paper, we have measured the indoor radon concentrations at 15 locations in various objects (basements and ground floor/1st floor rooms) in the area of northern Croatia. (3) Results: the results show a higher concentration of radon in the basement area in comparison to values measured in the ground floor and first-floor rooms. The arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) of basement rooms were 70.9 ± 38.8 Bq/m3 and 61.2 ± 2.2 Bq/m3 compared to ground floor and first-floor rooms 42.5 ± 30.8 Bq/m3 and 32.8 ± 2.9 Bq/m3, respectively. (4) Conclusions: results obtained (AM and GM values) are within the maximal allowed values (300 Bq/m3) according to the Euroatom Directive. However, there are periods when maximum radon concentration exceeds 300 Bq/m3. Indoor radon concentrations vary with the occupancy of the rooms and it is evident that the ventilation has significant effect on the reduction of concentration.

Indoor Radon Levels and Annual Effective Dose in Dwellings of Najran City, Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 786 ◽  
pp. 393-399
Author(s):  
Heba M. Badran
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Annual Effective Dose ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
The City

The main objective of this study is to assess the health hazard due to the indoor radon. CR-39 as time-integrated passive solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) were used in the indoor radon measurements of Najran City, Saudi Arabia. CR-39 detectors were distributed in dwellings of different places of the city. The detectors were exposed in the dwellings for two months and then etched in NaOH 6.25 N solution at 70 ±1°C for 5 h. This study revealed that the radon concentration in the dwellings ranged from 15.03±1.9 to 70.48±3.3 Bq m-3 with an average of 34.00±14.0 Bq m-3. Comparison of indoor radon concentration measurements in the different floors showed that the radon concentration in ground floors was slightly higher than that in first floors. Results showed that there is no significant health risk from indoor radon concentration and annual effective dose in the study region.

scholarly journals Indoor radon levels and total gamma dose rates measurements in Portuguese thermal spas

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-87
Author(s):  
A. S. Silva ◽  
M. L. Dinis
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Geiger Counter ◽  
Gamma Dose ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Gamma Dose Rates

In this study, an assessment of indoor radon concentration and gamma dose rates were carried out in 16 Portuguese thermal spas. Indoor gamma dose rates measurements were made using a Geiger counter (Gamma Scout – GS3) and radon concentration measurements were carried out using CR-39 detectors. The detectors were exposed for an extended period of time (in average 42 days). The results showed that gamma doses rates are generally low but, in several cases, radon concentration exceeded national as well as international standards, namely the reference level recommended by the Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (300 Bq/m3) and the threshold for protection (400 Bq/m3) from the Portuguese legislation. The annual effective doses deriving from external radiation (gamma dose rates) and indoor radon concentration showed the need to implement measures to optimize the radiation protection of the workers against ionizing radiation.

scholarly journals INDOOR RADON MEASUREMENT IN FORMER URANIUM MINING REGIONS IN BULGARIA

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kremena Ivanova ◽  
Victor Badulin
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Uranium Mining ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Radiological Risk ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Measurement ◽  
Mining Sites

Radon exposure situations have the characteristics of existing exposure situations since the source is unmodified concentrations of ubiquitous natural activity in the earth’s crust. Human activities may create or modify pathways increasing indoor radon concentration compared to outdoor background. The mining and processing of uranium bearing minerals generate a variety of waste materials containing a number of radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous constituents. Conventional underground and open pit mining activities produce overburden, mineralized waste and barren waste rock, which are generally low in their uranium and thorium contents and are left at the mine site. The study focuses on regions of former uranium mining industries, where the radiological risk is higher. Methods: The cumulative (passive) method was used for the study. The measurements are carried out by E PERM® system. Detectors are placed for approximately 6 months in randomly selected houses in former uranium mining sites - Sliven-villages area, Eleshnica and Bachkovo. These sites are situated in mountains in different part of Bulgaria. Results: The results of indoor radon concentration for investigation villages range from 125 Bq/m3 to 4000 Bq/m3. The maximum concentration was measured in Bachkovo village in Rodopi Mountain. This village is the least affected by the former uranium mining industry. Conclusion: The results prove assumption that former uranium mining sites are radon prone areas where radiological risk is higher. The level of indoor radon of residential buildings in areas with higher uranium availability is around or above the recommended reference radon levels. The maximum value of the concentration of radon is measured in areas less affected by uranium mining, proving the necessity to undertake a radon national survey to determine exact radon prone areas. Key words: Radon concentration, long-term measurement, radon prone areas

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