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

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.

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 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.

An approach to predicting indoor radon concentration based on depressurisation measurements

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2092474
Author(s):  
James A McGrath ◽  
Miriam A Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Power Laws ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Entry Rate ◽  
Energy Retrofit ◽  
Building Characteristics ◽  
Passive Measurements ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Exposure to radon is recognised as the second-leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. The passive measurements typically take up to three months to be representative of the annual radon concentration. A recently developed approach depressurises a dwelling to heighten the convective radon flux determining radon entry rate coefficients. The current study characterises the ventilation status, air tightness and eight selected hourly air change rates measurements, of a sample of naturally ventilated dwellings in Ireland. The household averaged air change rate ranged from 0.28 to 1.87 h−1 and airtightness measurements ranged from 4.830 to 9.423 m3 h−1 m−2 @ 50 Pa, depending on the building characteristics. The experimentally obtained values were used to parameterise a computational model for these selected dwellings and to predict radon concentrations. The radon entry rate power laws ranged from 0.18ΔP0.97 to 1.28ΔP1.18 Bq s−1. Probabilistic functions were generated based on the experimental data and predicted radon concentrations were within one standard deviation of the experimentally measured values in three out of four cases. The data generated can be used in modelling simulations to predict indoor radon concentrations based on local meteorological conditions, building characteristics, ventilation guidelines and energy-retrofit measurements.

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.

Variation of indoor radon concentration and ambient dose equivalent rate in different outdoor and indoor environments

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenka Stojanovska ◽  
Blazo Boev ◽  
Zora S. Zunic ◽  
Kremena Ivanova ◽  
Mimoza Ristova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Dose Equivalent ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Equivalent Rate ◽  
Ambient Dose Equivalent ◽  
Ambient Dose

scholarly journals Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration in Dalat area

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Viet Le
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Effective Doses ◽  
Recommended Guidelines ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
Radon Concentrations

A significant contribution to natural exposure of humans is radon gas, which emanates from the soil and may concentrate in dwellings. The level of radon exposure varies around the globe, but limited data are available on the daily variations of indoor radon concentrations. In this study, indoor radon measurements were performed continuously within one week at six different places in Dalat, Vietnam using the real time Smart Radon Detector Radon Eye+. The indoor radon behavior in a day follows a sine pattern, with peak values in the early morning and lowest values in the late afternoon. There are also some fluctuations at specific times due to different weather conditions. Indoor radon concentrations in the Dalat regions were found to exceed the recommended guidelines and thresholds; excessive radon levels warranting health concern were found (150.7-340.0 Bq/m3). Some corrective actions to reduce indoor radon concentrations were recommended. Annual effective doses on different age categories were also calculated.

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