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.

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 Assessing the Impact of Housing Features and Environmental Factors on Home Indoor Radon Concentration Levels on the Navajo Nation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2813
Author(s):  
Sheldwin A. Yazzie ◽  
Scott Davis ◽  
Noah Seixas ◽  
Michael G. Yost
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Decay Product ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Navajo Nation ◽  
Home Ventilation ◽  
Radon Gas ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Concentration Levels

Uranium is naturally found in the environment as a radioactive metal element with high concentrations in the Southwestern US. In this region is the Navajo Nation, which spans approximately 69,930 square kilometers. A decay product of uranium is radon gas, a lung carcinogen that has no color, odor, or taste. Radon gas may pass from soil into homes; and, indoor accumulation has been associated with geographical location, seasonality, home construction materials, and home ventilation. A home and indoor radon survey was conducted from November 2014 through May 2015, with volunteers who reported residence on the Navajo Nation. Home geolocation, structural characteristics, temperature (°C) during radon testing, and elevation (meters) were recorded. Short-term indoor radon kits were used to measure indoor radon levels. 51 homes were measured for indoor radon levels, with an arithmetic mean concentration of 60.5 Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) (SD = 42.7). The mean indoor radon concentrations (Bq/m3) by house type were: mobile, 29.0 (SD = 22.9); wood, 58.6 (SD = 36.0); hogan, 74.0 (SD = 0.0); homes constructed of cement and wood, 82.6 (SD = 3.5); and homes constructed of concrete and cement, 105.7 (SD = 55.8). A key observation is that house construction type appears to be associated with the mean home indoor radon concentration. This observation has been published in that the basic structural make-up of the home may affect home ventilation and therefore indoor radon concentration levels.

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 Estimation of Seasonal Correction Factors for Indoor Radon Concentrations in Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Park ◽  
Cheol Lee ◽  
Hyun Lee ◽  
Dae Kang
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Seasonal Adjustment ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Adjustment Factors ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Long-term exposure to high radon concentration exerts pathological effects and elicits changes in respiratory function, increasing an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. In health risk assessment of indoor radon, consideration of long-term exposure thereto is necessary to identify a relationship between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer. However, measuring long-term indoor radon concentration can be difficult, and a statistical model for predicting mean annual indoor radon concentrations may be readily applicable. We investigated the predictability of mean annual radon concentrations using national data on indoor radon concentrations throughout the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons in Korea. Indoor radon concentrations in Korea were highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. We derived seasonal correction and seasonal adjustment factors for each season based on the method proposed by previous study. However, these factors may not be readily applicable unless measured in a specific season. In this paper, we separate seasonal correction factors for each month of the year (new correction factors) based on correlations between indoor radon and meteorological factors according to housing type. To evaluate the correction factors, we assessed differences between estimated and measured mean annual radon concentrations. Roughly 97% of the estimated values were within ±40 Bq/m3 of actual measured values in detached houses, and roughly 85–87% of the estimated values were within ±40 Bq/m3 of the measured values in other residences. In most cases, the seasonal correction factors and the new correction factors had slightly better agreement than the seasonal adjustment factor. For predicting mean annual radon concentrations, the seasonal correction factors or seasonal adjustment factors can be of use when actual measurements of indoor radon concentrations for a specific season are available. Otherwise, the new correction factors may be more readily applicable.

scholarly journals Non-Uniformity of the Indoor Radon Concentration under a Convective Mixing Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2826
Author(s):  
Sergey Spotar ◽  
Nurlan Ibrayev ◽  
Aigerim Uyzbayeva ◽  
Jamil Atabayev
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Radioactive Decay ◽  
Cfd Modeling ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Convective Mixing ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Air Tightness ◽  
Transport Problems ◽  
The Impact

This paper focuses on the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of radon concentration distribution in living areas within residences. The COMSOL Multiphysics® 5.3 software package has been employed for solving coupled momentum and species transport problems together with pseudo-reaction term modeling of the radon radioactive decay process. The reliability and verification of the simulation model was tested by comparing with available experimental data. The obtained results show the existence of stagnant zones where the concentration of radon is substantially higher than the average values. The impact of factors such as wind velocity, air tightness, and incoming radon flux were taken into consideration.

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.

APPLICABILITY OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING THE INDOOR RADON CONCENTRATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-208
Author(s):  
Martin Jiránek ◽  
Veronika Kačmaříková
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Supply Rate ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Building Ventilation ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Abstract An analysis is presented of the ability of balanced mechanical ventilation systems to reduce the radon concentration in residential buildings efficiently. The analysis takes into account the following parameters: radon supply rate into the building, ventilation intensity, required indoor radon concentration and energy consumption. It is shown that the applicability of ventilation systems is limited mainly by energy consumption. Ventilation systems can be considered energetically acceptable if the ventilation intensity does not exceed 0.6 h−1, i.e. radon supply rate should not exceed 60 Bq/m3h for a required indoor radon concentration of 100 Bq/m3. Energy consumption can be significantly reduced by operating the ventilation system in a cyclic mode. Simulating the behavior of ventilation systems in time has been found as a useful tool for their design. In order to express by one parameter energy consumption and radon reduction, a completely new quantity—the ‘radon-related energy need’ has been proposed.

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