SHORT-TERM ANNUAL VARIATIONS OF RADON CONCENTRATION IN WORKPLACES: SOME RESULTS IN A RESEARCH INSTITUTE

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
G Venoso ◽  
M Ampollini ◽  
S Antignani ◽  
M Caprio ◽  
C Carpentieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Council Directive ◽  
Research Institute

Abstract Many international and national regulations on radon in workplaces, including the 2013/59/Euratom Council Directive, are based on the annual average of indoor radon concentration, assuming it is representative of the long-term average. However, a single annual radon concentration measurement does not reflect annual variations (i.e. year-to-year variations) of radon concentration in the same location. These variations, if not negligible, should be considered for an optimized implementation of regulations. Unfortunately, studies on annual variations in workplaces can be difficult and time-consuming and no data have been published on scientific journals on this issue. Therefore, we carried out a study to obtain a first evaluation of short-term annual variations in workplaces of a research institute in Rome (Italy). The radon concentration was measured in 120 rooms (mainly offices and laboratories) located in 23 buildings. In each room, two 1-year long measurements were performed, with an interval between the two measurements of up to 3 years. The results show variability between the two 1-year long measurements higher than the variability observed in a sample of dwellings in the same area. Further studies are required to confirm the results and to extend the study to other types of workplaces.

scholarly journals Distribution of indoor radon concentrations between selected Hungarian thermal baths

Nukleonika ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Shahrokhi ◽  
Erika Nagy ◽  
Anita Csordás ◽  
János Somlai ◽  
Tibor Kovács
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Council Directive ◽  
Small Pool ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Abstract Owing to the high potential of radon to increase the risk of lung cancer, health organizations are enforced to update their regulations and recommendations regarding indoor radon levels each year. In this study, the indoor radon concentrations of three randomly selected thermal baths in Hungary using CR-39 and an AlphaGUARD radon monitor were measured with regard to the new updated standards of the European Basic Safety Standard (EU BSS, Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, 2014). The annual average of indoor radon concentrations in Parad Medical Bath, Igal Health Spa and Eger Turkish Bath were measured as 159 ± 19, 176 ± 27 and 301 ± 30 Bq/m3, respectively. Indoor radon concentration in all measurement locations were determined to be below the reference level, with the exception of the main pool, small pool and sparkling bath areas in the Eger Turkish Bath that were measured as 403 ± 42, 315 ± 32 and 354 ± 36 Bq/m3, respectively. In light of the results, the estimated annual average radon concentration in the thermal baths was below the EU BSS reference level of 300 Bq/m3. Personal dosimetry is required to estimate the annual effective dose from inhaled radon by the workers at the Eger Turkish Bath. This procedure is required in order to justify the application of the mitigation process of decreasing working hours, improving the ventilation rate or increasing the number of classified employees in response to the official radiation surveillance programme.

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 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.

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 Lung cancer mortality and radon exposure in Russia

Nukleonika ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilia V. Yarmoshenko ◽  
Georgy P. Malinovsky
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Lung Cancer Mortality ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Radon Exposure ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Research Institute

Abstract The association between the lung cancer and indoor radon exposure in Russian population was investigated. The average indoor radon concentration for each region was estimated using the annual reports issued by the Saint-Petersburg Ramzaev Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene for the period 2008–2013. The average standardized lung cancer mortalities among males and females were estimated using the reports of the Moscow Hertzen Cancer Research Institute for the period 2008–2012. The relative risk (RR) was estimated as a ratio between the average mortality within seven exposure intervals and background mortality. The slope factors of linear dependence between the indoor radon exposure and lung cancer RR are 0.026 (−0.11÷0.17) and 0.83 (0.52–1.12) per radon concentration 100 Bq/m3 for males and females, respectively (with 90% confidence interval). The obtained results can be explained by the confounding effect of tobacco smoking. Significant excess risk of lung cancer in female population can be associated with radon exposure and low prevalence of smoking.

scholarly journals A simple model for the assessment of indoor radionuclide Pb-210 surface contamination due to the presence of radon

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Dusan Mrdja ◽  
Istvan Bikit ◽  
Miroslav Veskovic ◽  
Sofija Forkapic ◽  
Natasa Todorovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Radioactive Decay ◽  
Surface Contamination ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Retrospective Assessment ◽  
Concentration Changes

The presented, very simplified model provides a possibility for estimation of surface Pb-210 activity, depending on the changes of Rn-222 concentration during the long-term radon presence inside the closed room. This can be useful for retrospective assessment of the average indoor radon concentration for certain historical period, based on the surface contamination by the radionuclide Pb-210 in a closed or poorly ventilated room over a long period of time. However, the surface Pb-210 contamination depends on the pattern of radon concentration changes, and in this model is supposed that the change of indoor radon concentration, which periodically enters the room, is affected only by the radioactive decay and the inserted amount of radon in each entry. So, each radon entry can be comprehended as a ?net amount? of radon, or excess which remains inside the room due to radon?s periodical in-out flow. It is shown, that under the conditions of the model, the achieved average value of radon concentration of 275 Bq/m3, implies that the saturated surface contamination by the Pb-210 of 160 Bq/m2 after approximately 150 years.

scholarly journals Measurement of radon concentrations for some houses in Al-Najaf city /Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 51-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali A. Al-Hamidawi
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Concentration Level ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Long Term Measurement ◽  
Radon Concentrations

    Measurement of radon concentration level was carried out in 40 houses in Al – Najaf city during summer season of 2012. Long term measurement of indoor of old building radon concentrations have been taken, using a previously calibrated passive diffusion dosimeters containing CR – 39 solid state nuclear track detectors which are very sensitive for alpha particles. The measurement of the indoor radon concentration obtained in summer in these regions ranged from 11.654±4.216 Bq.m-3 to 53.610±8.777 Bq.m-3. The results were within universally permitted levels.     

scholarly journals Prediction of long-term indoor radon concentration based on short-term measurements

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenka Stojanovska ◽  
Kremena Ivanova ◽  
Peter Bossew ◽  
Blazo Boev ◽  
Zora Zunic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Geometrical Mean ◽  
The Republic

We present a method for the estimation of annual radon concentration based on short-term (three months) measurements. The study involves results from two independent sets of indoor radon concentration measurements performed in 16 cities of the Republic of Macedonia. The first data set contains winter and annual radon concentration obtained during the National survey in 2010 and the second, contains only the radon concentration measured during the winter of 2013. Both data sets pertain to radon concentration from the same cities and have been measured applying the same methodology in ground floor dwellings. The results appeared to be consistent and the dispersion of radon concentration was low. Linear regression analysis of the radon concentration measured in winter of 2010 and of the 2010 annual radon concentration revealed a high coefficient of determination R2 = 0.92, with a relative uncertainty of 3%. Furthermore, this model was used to estimate the annual radon concentration solely from winter-term measurements performed in 2013. The geometrical mean of the estimated annual radon concentration of the 2013: radon concentration (A-2013) =98 Bqm-3 was almost equal to the geometrical mean of the annual radon concentration from the 2010, radon concentration (A-2010) = 99 Bqm-3. Analysis of the influence of building characteristics, such as presence/absence of a basement in the building, or the dominant building material on the estimated annual radon concentration is also reported. Our results show that a low number of relatively short-term radon measurements may produce a reasonable insight into a gross average obtained in a larger survey.

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