scholarly journals Dependence of concentration of radon on environmental parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Anita Ptiček Siročić ◽  
Sanja Kovač ◽  
Davor Stanko ◽  
Iva Pejak
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Foundation Soil ◽  
Gaseous State ◽  
Living Space ◽  
North Western ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Radon (222Ra) is a colourless and odourless natural radioactive element in gaseous state. The concentration of radon in the air is usually low, but it can be very high inside of a living space, because of its possibility to penetrate from a foundation soil over a basement into a building itself. People are daily exposed to a certain concentration of radon that is found in soil, water, air and food. This paper shows a correlation analysis of environmental parameters by using the model of multiple regressions. It defines certain statistical relations between environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure with measured values of radon concentrations. Measurements were carried out at several locations in various residential buildings in north-western Croatia. The results indicated that individual environmental parameters and radon concentration at individual locations were connected. For example, at one location the concentration of radon was decreasing if atmospheric pressure was increasing. Measurements at another location indicated that the concentration of radon was increasing if air humidity was increasing. Due to large number of different parameters affecting the concentration of radon in residential buildings, a satisfactory statistical model to predict the concentration of radon with environmental parameters is not easy to achieve since it was observed variability of radon concentrations with environmental parameters within different local sites. It is necessary to consider a longer period to determine with certainty a mathematical model that would give the most accurate prediction of radon concentration dependence on environmental parameters which can affect human health and quality of life.

scholarly journals The Significant Impact of Home Pocket Garden on the Quality of Life During the Pandemic Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliyah Nur Zafirah Sanusi ◽  
Fadzidah Abdullah ◽  
Rosniza Othman ◽  
Aida Kesuma Azmin ◽  
Zeenat Begam Yusof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Living Space ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
Open Access Article

Before the pandemic, residents in the Klang Valley tend to prioritize indoor living space to outdoor. This study analyzed the importance of outdoor green space in residential buildings. It consists of two objectives; to identify the type of home pocket gardens used and to evaluate the significant impact of home pocket gardens on the quality of life (QOL) during the pandemic. A survey was conducted using a five-point Likert scale and distributed to three housing communities within the Klang Valley. In conclusion, home pocket gardens provide a positive impact on the QOL during the pandemic. Keywords: Pocket Garden, Quality of Life. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i18.3079

A study of diurnal and short-term variations of indoor radon concentrations at the University of Michigan, USA and their correlations with environmental factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1051-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Xie ◽  
Maili Liao ◽  
Hanqing Wang ◽  
Kimberlee J. Kearfott
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
University Of Michigan ◽  
Outdoor Temperature ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Hourly Rainfall ◽  
The University ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Measurements of indoor radon concentrations and environmental parameters were collected continuously on an hourly basis over a three-month period (April 2012 to June 2012). These were performed both in a well-ventilated ground floor laboratory and in the unventilated basement directly below it in a two-storey building at the University of Michigan, USA. The diurnal variations of indoor radon concentration were investigated along with their correlations to the environmental parameters. The results showed that in the laboratory with typical air exchange, the highest radon values appeared in the early morning while lower values emerged in the afternoon. A similar time-course was followed by radon concentrations in the basement with stagnant air. The day-average radon concentrations in the laboratory ranged from 27 ± 2 Bq m−3 to 54 ± 5 Bq m−3, with the overall mean of 37 ± 6 Bq m−3 over the three-month data collection period. The overall basement average, 900 ± 92 Bq m−3 is significantly higher than the population-weighted world average value of 39 Bq m−3. For the ground-level laboratory, the indoor humidity, outdoor temperature and indoor–outdoor temperature difference were positively correlated with indoor radon. The indoor radon negatively correlated with outdoor barometric pressure, wind speed and indoor–outdoor barometric pressure differences. However, for the unventilated basement, the only statistically significant correlation of indoor radon concentration was a positive one with hourly rainfall.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of radon concentrations in buildings of different energy efficiency classes on example of five Russian cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
I. V. Yarmoshenko ◽  
A. D. Onishchenko ◽  
G. P. Malinovsky ◽  
A. V. Vasilyev ◽  
E. I. Nazarov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
Radon Concentrations

A comparative analysis of the radon concentrations in modern multi-storey residential buildings of high energy efficiency class and buildings typical for urban areas of the twentieth century was carried out. The study was conducted in Russian cities located in various climatic zones – Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Salekhard, Chelyabinsk. The radon concentration in samples of buildings was measured using integrated radon radiometers based on nuclear track detectors according to a single method. The surveyed sample included 498 apartments in multi-apartment buildings. Among all the examined building types, the highest average radon concentration is observed in modern energy-efficient houses – 43 Bq/m3. In other types of buildings, the following average radon concentrations were obtained: brick 2–5 floors – 35 Bq/m3; panel 5 floors – 32 Bq/m3; panel 7–12 floors 1970-1990 years of construction – 22 Bq/m3; brick> 5 floors 1970–1980 years of construction – 20 Bq m3; panel, built since 1990 – 24 Bq/m3. The results of the study confirm the assumption that radon concentration in modern multi-storey energy-efficient houses is on average higher than in typical residential buildings of the Soviet period. The increased accumulation of radon in energy-efficient buildings is associated with a decrease in the building envelope permeability and the contribution of fresh air to the general air exchange. Despite the fact that there were no cases of exceeding hygienic standards for the indoor radon concentration in the framework of this study, the higher radon concentration in buildings of increased energy efficiency requires attention from the point of view of implementing the principle of optimization of radiation protection. In the future, extensive construction of energy-efficient buildings may increase the average and collective doses to the urban population in the Russian Federation.

Community Strategies for Energy Efficiency Successful Examples from Austria

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Inge Strassl
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Point System ◽  
Energy Point ◽  
Living Space ◽  
The People ◽  
The Government

The responsible politician for environment in Vorarlberg spoke at the Energy Gala in November 2002 in Bregenz and said: “It is necessary not only to discuss central regulations but to invest more in decentralised actions”. The communities are central players in this field because they can act in various ways: as authority, owner of buildings and as motivator for the people. Two examples of strategies in Austria are introduced: e5 - program for energy efficient communities (congruent to the European Energy Award) This program supports communities with high ambitions on energy and sustainability. The program helps to give structure, tools and a quality insurance system, so that even smaller communities can act in a professional and efficient way. Additionally it is a labelling and awarding system, which is quite important because a lot of work in the communities happens voluntarily and it is important to give approval to these actors. Energy point system in housing subsidies In the federal state of Salzburg the energy point system is a subsidy system for energy-saving measures and the use of renewable energy in housing. Quality points are given, depending on the energetic and ecological quality of a building. Every point increases the subvention that is granted by the government of the federal state Salzburg. Additional points exist, for example, for the use of biomass, solar energy and controlled living space ventilation. Using this simple system, the quality of sponsored housing was increased significantly and the use of renewable energies was successfully introduced into social housing. Today more than 80% of the residential buildings in Salzburg are heated by biomass and more than 60% of the buildings are using solar energy for hot water and heating.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Review on Environmental Factors Influencing COVID-19 Spread and Its Effects: A Global Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36
Author(s):  
Rehnuma Karim ◽  
Farah Noshin Chowdhury ◽  
Taki Hasan Rafi
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Protective Measure ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 that is plaguing the whole world at this point is currently a major threat on global health. However, similar to many other respiratory disease outbreaks in the past, this virus also has environmental implications, with its spread being substantially affected by the environmental conditions of a locality. Also, the lockdown measure undertaken as a protective measure against the spread of the disease is affecting the global environment. There have been numerous studies around the world to find the correlation between transmission and severity Coronavirus related disease and mortality with environmental parameters. These parameters included temperature, air pollution, climate factors, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure and many more with COVID-19 outbreak. It was found that meteorological factors may show an independent part in the spread of COVID-19. Considering the other side of the coin, the world prior to this Coronavirus outbreak was facing air pollution, global warming, sound pollution and many more environmental adversities. However, since the beginning of the lockdown period a major change has been noticed in terms of various environmental parameters that measure the quality of the environment around the globe. This study is an attempt to conduct a comparative study on the correlation amid environmental influences and the COVID-19 outbreak around the world.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon Concentration Levels in Different Premises of a University Building

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 6174
Author(s):  
Pranas Baltrėnas ◽  
Raimondas Grubliauskas ◽  
Vaidotas Danila
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Working Day ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor ◽  
Radon Concentrations

In the present study, we aimed to determine the changes of indoor radon concentrations depending on various environmental parameters, such as the outdoor temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure, in university building premises of different applications and heights. The environmental parameters and indoor radon concentrations in four different premises were measured each working day over an eight-month period. The results showed that the indoor radon levels strongly depended on the outside temperature and outside relative humidity, whereas the weakest correlations were found between the indoor radon levels and indoor and outdoor air pressures. The obtained indoor radon concentration and environmental condition correlations were different for the different premises of the building. That is, in two premises where the ventilation effect through unintentional air leakage points prevailed in winter, positive correlations between the radon concentration and outside temperature were obtained, reaching the values of 0.94 and 0.92, respectively. In premises with better airtightness, negative correlations (R = −0.96 and R = −0.62) between the radon concentrations and outside temperature were obtained. The results revealed that high quality air isolation in premises could be an important factor for higher indoor radon levels during summer compared to winter.

scholarly journals A methodology for the determination of indoor environmental quality in residential buildings through the monitoring of fundamental environmental parameters: A proposed Dwelling Environmental Quality Index

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Laskari ◽  
Stavroula Karatasou ◽  
Mat Santamouris
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality

This paper presents the methodology for the calculation of an indoor environmental quality indicator for residential buildings. The ‘Dwelling Environmental Quality Index’ has been developed with the purpose of assisting both households and property managers to identify potential problems with the indoor environment whilst ensuring that indoor environmental quality is not compromised in favour of energy saving. Based on the combined effect of three simple and commonly measured indoor environmental parameters – air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 concentrations; the index reflects in a single value the quality of indoor environmental conditions for the monitored period, in compliance with the European standard EN15251:2007. The application of the Dwelling Environmental Quality Index in single dwellings and in building blocks is demonstrated. The usability of the index as a communication and management tool for individual households and property managers is also demonstrated.

Research of pressure influence in the gas supply system on the energy consuption level of gas devices

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-63
Author(s):  
L. D. Pylypiv ◽  
І. І. Maslanych
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Gas Combustion ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Gas Consumption ◽  
Natural Gas Combustion ◽  
Gas Supply

There are investigated the influence of operating pressures in the gas supply system on the level of such energy indicators as efficiency, gas flow and gas overrun by gas equipment in residential buildings. There is established a relationship between the values of operating pressures in the gas supply system and the gas consumption level of household appliances. The causes of insufficient pressure in the gas networks of settlements are analyzed in the article. There is also developed an algorithm for calculating the change in the efficiency of gas appliances depending on the operational parameters of the gas network. It has been found that the most efficient operation of gas appliances is observed at an overpressure at the inlet of gas appliances of about 1200 Pa.To ensure the required quality of natural gas combustion among consumers and minimize gas consumption there are justified the following measures in the article: coordinating a domestic regulatory framework for assessing the quality of natural gas with international norms and standards; improving the preparation of gas coming from local wells before supplying it to gas distribution networks; auditing low pressure gas pipelines and reconstructing areas affected by corrosion; ensuring standard gas pressure in the network for the normal operation of domestic gas appliances; stating quality indicators of natural gas combustion by gas sales organizations.

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 The contribution of Geomatics to increase safety and security in ports

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Soldani
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Port Security ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Water Quality Control ◽  
Port Authorities ◽  
Graphical Interfaces ◽  
Port Areas

AbstractIn this paper, the advantages achievable from the use of two prototype systems that are being developed to increase safety and security in ports are shown. Both systems start by monitoring environmental parameters in harbors, and then process data acquired. The first system has been conceived to be helpful to port communities (port authorities, pilots) to optimize harbor waterside management (ship’s navigation and cargo, dock performances, boat moorings, refloating of stranded ships, water quality control). By monitoring and processing sea level and atmospheric pressure in port areas, it can help port communities, e.g., to choose the best time when a ship with a certain draft can enter or leave a harbor, or to plan the best route inside the basin for that vessel (port safety). The second system, instead, has been designed for port protection purposes: by monitoring and processing the Earth’s magnetic field below the sea surface in harbors (where the natural field is disturbed by a high artificial component), it is able to detect the possible presence of intruders (e.g., divers) swimming underwater in prohibited areas (port security). Here, the results of monitoring and processing activities of the two systems performed in Livorno and La Spezia harbors are shown (Italy). The processing procedures and the graphical interfaces of the systems are based on applications under development by the research team the author belongs to, by using C# and C++ languages; Matlab environment has been employed for simulations.

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