Designing an Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI): An Evaluation Tool for Risk Management and Communication in the IoT Age

The explosive data growth in the current information age requires consistent new methodologies harmonized with the new IoT era for data analysis in a space–time context. Moreover, intuitive data visualization is a central feature in exploring, interpreting, and extracting specific insights for subsequent numerical data representation. This integrated process is normally based on the definition of relevant metrics and specific performance indicators, both computed upon continuous real-time data, considering the specificities of a particular application case for data validation. This article presents an IoT-oriented evaluation tool for Radon Risk Management (RRM), based on the design of a simple and intuitive Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI), specifically tailored to be used as a decision-making aid tool for building owners, building designers, and buildings managers, or simply as an alert flag for the problem awareness of ordinary citizens. The proposed methodology was designed for graphic representation aligned with the requirements of the current IoT age, i.e., the methodology is robust enough for continuous data collection with specific Spatio-temporal attributes and, therefore, a set of adequate Radon risk-related metrics can be extracted and proposed. Metrics are summarized considering the application case, taken as a case study for data validation, by including relevant variables to frame the study, such as the regulatory International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) dosimetric limits, building occupancy (spatial dimension), and occupants’ exposure periods (temporal dimension). This work has the following main contributions: (1) providing a historical perspective regarding RRM indicator evolution along time; (2) outlining both the formulation and the validation of the proposed IRREI indicator; (3) implementing an IoT-oriented methodology for an RRM indicator; and (4) a discussion on Radon risk public perception, undertaken based on the results obtained after assessment of the IRREI indicator by applying a screening questionnaire with a total of 873 valid answers.

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Stakeholder engagement in the management of indoor radon exposures

Radioprotection ◽

10.1051/radiopro/2020038 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 ◽

pp. S227-S233 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. Turcanu ◽

C. Schieber ◽

T. Schneider ◽

C. Fallon ◽

R. Geysmans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Stakeholder Participation ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Regional Level ◽

Context Specific ◽

Radon Risk ◽

Significant Health

Radon in buildings poses a significant health risk, being one of the most important causes of lung cancer deaths worldwide. Acknowledging that successful radon risk management requires engagement of stakeholders, this paper investigated prescriptions and practices for stakeholder participation. First, it points out the need to integrate radon risk management in a holistic approach to indoor air pollution, together with urban planning and energy saving policies. It then argues for establishing more systematic approaches to the involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and evaluation of radon actions. Finally, it suggests the development of context specific approaches for the engagement of stakeholders at local and regional level.

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Radon and the system of radiological protection

Annals of the ICRP ◽

10.1016/j.icrp.2012.06.020 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (3-4) ◽

pp. 389-396 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.F. Lecomte

Keyword(s):

Integrated Approach ◽

Public Consultation ◽

Risk Exposure ◽

Radiological Protection ◽

Dose Limit ◽

Draft Report ◽

Radon Exposure ◽

Preventive Actions ◽

Transfer Mechanisms ◽

Radon Risk

At its meeting in Porto, Portugal, in November 2009, the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) approved the formation of a new Task Group, reporting to Committee 4, to develop guidance on radiological protection against radon exposure. This article describes the Task Group's draft report entitled “Radiological Protection against Radon Exposure” which has been posted on the ICRP website for public consultation between January and June 2012. In this report, the Commission provides updated guidance on radiological protection against radon exposure. The report was developed considering the recently consolidated ICRP general recommendations, the new scientific knowledge about radon risk, and the experience gained by many organisations and countries in the control of radon exposure. The report describes the characteristics of radon exposure, covering sources and transfer mechanisms, nature of the risk, exposure conditions, similarities with other existing exposure situations, and challenges to manage radon exposure. In order to control radon exposure, the Commission recommends an integrated approach that is focused as much as possible on the management of the building or location in which radon exposure occurs, regardless of the purpose of the building and the category of the occupants. This approach is based on the optimisation principle, and a graded approach according to the degree of responsibilities at stake, notably in workplaces, and the level of ambition of the national authorities. The report emphasises the importance of preventive actions, and provides recommendations on how to control radon exposure in workplaces when workers’ exposure can reasonably be regarded as being the responsibility of the operating management. In such a case, workers’ exposures are considered to be occupational, and are controlled using the corresponding requirements on the basis of the optimisation principle, and application, as appropriate, of the dose limit.

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The Ukrainian pilot project “Stop radon”

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp1402142p ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 142-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tatyana Pavlenko ◽

Olga German ◽

Miroslava Frizyuk ◽

Nikolay Aksenov ◽

Anatoliy Operchyuk

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Equilibrium Concentration ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Second Phase ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Professionals ◽

Radon Risk

In 2010 one area of Ukraine (Kirovograd area) was selected for a pilot project to reduce radon risks. The project consists of several stages: radon risk training for the public health professionals, measurements of radon concentration in schools and nurseries (more than 1000 buildings were examined), justifications of radon countermeasures and their implementation. The lognormal frequency distribution for equivalent equilibrium concentration was authentically established. The geometric mean of the indoor radon equivalent equilibrium concentration was established to 63 Bq/m3, and standard deviation is equal to 82 Bq/m3. The indoor radon equivalent equilibrium concentration ranged from 22 Bq/m3 to 809 Bq/m3. It was found that the national regulatory limit for this type of buildings was exceeded in more than 50% of the cases. The second phase of the project has a goal to remediate radon levels and reduce radon risks. Calculated exposure doses and radon risk were used to justify the remediation and assess the economic loss for the region caused by radon irradiation of the population.

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An Application of Geostatistical and GIS Techniques to Indoor Radon Risk Mapping

Quantitative Geology and Geostatistics - geoENV III — Geostatistics for Environmental Applications ◽

10.1007/978-94-010-0810-5_17 ◽

2001 ◽

pp. 193-203

Author(s):

H. C. Zhu

Keyword(s):

Indoor Radon ◽

Risk Mapping ◽

Gis Techniques ◽

Radon Risk ◽

Radon Risk Mapping

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Modern Risk Management Techniques in Banking Sector

Handbook of Research on Strategic Business Infrastructure Development and Contemporary Issues in Finance - Advances in Finance, Accounting, and Economics ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-5154-8.ch014 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 186-206

Author(s):

Okan Acar ◽

Aslı Beyhan Acar

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Financial Institutions ◽

Operations Research ◽

Banking Sector ◽

Risk Exposure ◽

New Techniques ◽

The World ◽

Risk Definition ◽

Modern Business ◽

Management Techniques

Risk management as a very rapid emerging subject has been affected by several happenings in the world. There are many studies covering risk definition, risk types, and risk management, plus there are many contemporary approaches in order to calculate the risk incurred by the companies due to their transactions. In the modern business life, since the transactions have become very fast and their risk exposure increases, the companies, especially the financial institutions, started to use new techniques to measure the probable effects of the risks that they have taken while undertaking the transactions. In this chapter, the authors show two techniques as the contemporary approaches to risk management. These are operations research and statistics. They know that these two concepts are very detailed and sophisticated tools, which require software for better results. The banks have been investing in these solutions, and they are designing new organizations to handle these issues. Thus, the authors introduce these techniques very briefly with using some banking practices for better understanding.

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Radon and Lung Cancer in Cornwall and Devon

Environment and Planning A Economy and Space ◽

10.1068/a251361 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1361-1366 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R M Haynes

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Cancer Mortality ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Lung Cancer Mortality ◽

Radiological Protection ◽

Preventive Action ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Radon Measurements ◽

The Relationship ◽

Current Advice

The relationship between average indoor levels of radon and lung cancer mortality in the counties of Cornwall and Devon, England, are investigated. The associations of population density, social-class distribution, and regional smoking prevalence with lung cancer mortality in the local-authority districts of England and Wales were estimated by regression analysis. Low rates of lung cancer in Cornwall and Devon were predicted from the relationship. The differences between observed and predicted mortality in Cornwall and Devon districts were compared with average indoor levels of radon, which varied considerably between districts. Residual variations in lung cancer mortality were not significantly correlated with average indoor radon measurements. The current advice of the National Radiological Protection Board to government is to concentrate radon measurements, remedial action, and preventive action principally on Cornwall and Devon, but cross-sectional geographical data do not support the hypothesis that raised levels of radon indoors in southwest England have an important effect on lung cancer mortality.

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A reconnaissance study of radon concentrations in Hamadan city, Iran

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-10-857-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 857-863 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

G. K. Gillmore ◽

N. Jabarivasal

Keyword(s):

Radon Concentration ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Alluvial Fan ◽

Winter Period ◽

Radiological Protection ◽

Indoor Radon Concentration ◽

Western Iran ◽

Surficial Deposits ◽

Radon Concentrations

Abstract. This paper presents results of a reconnaissance study that used CR-39 alpha track-etch detectors to measure radon concentrations in dwellings in Hamadan, western Iran, significantly, built on permeable alluvial fan deposits. The indoor radon levels recorded varied from 4 (i.e. below the lower limit of detection for the method) to 364 Bq/m3 with a mean value of 108 Bq/m3 which is 2.5 times the average global population-weighted indoor radon concentration – these data augment the very few published studies on indoor radon levels in Iran. The maximum radon concentration in Hamadan occurs during the winter period (January to March) with lower concentrations during the autumn. The effective dose equivalent to the population in Hamadan is estimated from this study to be in the region of 2.7 mSv/y, which is above the guidelines for dose to a member of the public of 1 mSv/y suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in 1993. This study supports other work in a number of countries that indicates such permeable "surficial" deposits as being of intermediate to high radon potential. In western Iran, the presence of hammered clay floors, the widespread presence of excavated qanats, the textural properties of surficial deposits and human behaviour intended to cope with winds are likely to be important factors influencing radon concentrations in older buildings.

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Numerical investigation of radon dispersion and dose assessment for typical ventilation schemes with an air purifier

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x19893748 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 114-128

Author(s):

Dong Xie ◽

Chenhua Wang ◽

Chuck W Yu ◽

Hanqing Wang

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Effective Dose ◽

Natural Ventilation ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Radioactive Decay ◽

Dose Assessment ◽

Radiological Protection ◽

Ventilation Condition ◽

Air Supply ◽

Air Purifier

Radon is a radioactive pollutant that could pose hazards to the surrounding environment and people due to its radioactive decay progenies. In this study, numerical simulations of radon dispersion were conducted under natural and mechanical ventilation with an air-purifier for radon. Factors such as the air supply speed, position and air supply angles of the purifier were considered. Results showed that the increase in the air supply speed from the purifier was an effective solution to reduce indoor radon pollution. The effect was better when the purifier was in the middle of the room. The purification effect was similar when the air supply changed under natural ventilation, while purification function was more effective when the air supply angle was 60° under the mechanical ventilation condition. An effective dose estimation involving typical ventilation schemes with radon purifier was evaluated. Using this approach, the radiation effect on occupants was computed. The calculated effective dose was 0.9 mSv y−1 when the air supply speed of the purifier was 0.2 m s−1 under natural ventilation. As a result, the effective dose calculated was under the annual effective dose limit of 3–10 mSv y−1 recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for public exposure.

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Stakeholder engagement in radiological protection: Developing theory, practice and guidelines

Radioprotection ◽

10.1051/radiopro/2020036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 ◽

pp. S211-S218 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. Turcanu ◽

M. Van Oudheusden ◽

B. Abelshausen ◽

C. Schieber ◽

T. Schneider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Preparedness ◽

Stakeholder Engagement ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Ionising Radiation ◽

Radiological Protection ◽

National Policies ◽

European Project ◽

Response And Recovery ◽

Radiation Research ◽

Local Levels

The European project ENGAGE investigated formal or informal demands and expectations for stakeholder engagement in radiological protection, and their translation into practices at national and local levels. Three contexts were examined in detail: nuclear emergency preparedness, response and recovery; exposure to indoor radon; and medical exposures to ionising radiation. Research showed that prescriptions and practices for stakeholder engagement would benefit from acknowledging the normative and substantive rationales for engagement. It suggests broadening participation both in terms of stakeholders – particularly from the perspective of integration of radiological protection into broader frameworks – and the forms of participation – for instance by recognising the importance of informal and citizen-led engagement. In addition, more systematic approaches for stakeholder engagement should be included in the elaboration and evaluation of national policies. Finally, results substantiate the need for developing radiological protection culture in a participatory, multi-disciplinary way. Recommendations for more robust stakeholder engagement in radiological protection are formulated based on the findings.

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