Comparative study of short- and long-term indoor radon measurements

Entrepreneurship is an important part of any economy today regardless of its level of development. However, not in all contexts do entrepreneurs operate in the same way, nor are they motivated by the same factors. This research seeks to identify possible coincidence factors and differences between entrepreneurs that operate in different contexts from the point of view of their historical evolution, the duration of these and the economic and social model applied in the countries. Specifically, a comparative study is carried out between entrepreneurs from the republics of Ecuador and Cuba considering various variables such as: personality characteristics (attitude to failure, risk, perseverance and innovation), use of the available time fund for work in entrepreneurship; Impact of the environment in relation to: government regulations, taxes, level of competition and availability of suppliers, as well as the structure of personal expenses projected in the short and long term that entrepreneurs assume as a stimulus for their actions. For the development of the study, a description of the behavior of the variables was initially made and later, by hypothesis testing, to verify differences and similarities between both populations. The study allowed us to identify common and divergent aspects between both populations analyzed. Similarly, it showed how differences in the administrative and financial environment in which entrepreneurs operate generate changes in their priorities and projections.

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Indoor radon concentration and a diffusion model in dwellings situated in a subalkaline granitoid area, Southern Brazil

Environmental Earth Sciences ◽

10.1007/s12665-021-09849-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (17) ◽

Author(s):

G. Romero-Mujalli ◽

A. Roisenberg ◽

A. Cordova-Gonzalez ◽

P. H. P. Stefano

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Model ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

High Concentration ◽

Indoor Radon Concentration ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Environmental Limits ◽

Radon Measurements ◽

Cr 39 Detectors

AbstractRadon (Rn), a radioactive element, has especial interest in medical geology because long-term exposure to high concentration is related to lung cancer. In this study, outdoor and indoor radon measurements were conducted in dwellings of the Piquiri Syenite Massif, located in southern Brazil, given the relative high Rn content in soils of this region. Measurements were done using CR-39 detectors and placing them inside and outside dwellings. Moreover, a one-dimensional diffusion model was performed in order to quantify the natural transport of Rn to the air in confined and aerated environments. Results indicate that the region presents relatively low air Rn concentrations, within the environmental limits; however, the health risk might increase in confined and ill-ventilated environments because of transfer from soil and exhalation from ornamental rock-material often found inside dwellings. The main north facies of the syenite, where most of the rock extractions are located, was found to have the highest air Rn concentration because of the higher soil Rn concentration, compared to other facies of the syenite.

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

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos13010092 ◽

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.

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