Network of Radon Gas Concentration Monitoring of Research and Development Centre – BMKG for Earthquake Precursor Research in Indonesia

The geographical position of Indonesia, which is flanked by several subduction zones and the presence of active faults in the sea and land make Indonesian territory prone to earthquakes and tsunamis which can result in many deaths and damaged. There are several efforts we can do to minimize the occurrence of earthquakes, including developing earthquake resistant buildings, increasing the ability/capacity of the community, and predicting earthquakes or better known as earthquake precursors. The BMKG Research Centre began conducting research on earthquake prediction using several methods, including the Radon monitoring method. Monitoring of Radon gas concentrations for earthquake precursors has several advantages, including the presence of radioactive gas which is abundant in ground water that has a half-life of 3.2 days. Radon is the result of decay of uranium 278U which is abundant in the earth’s crust rock so that when rock friction occurs, the Radon gas can be detached. Based on the results of Radon monitoring at Tadulako and Palolo stations - Southeast Sulawesi province, there was a change in the pattern of radon gas concentration and water level rising up and down drastically and a gradual decrease in ground water temperature before the earthquake on 28 September 2018. In addition to Central Sulawesi, since 2012 the Centre for Research and Development of BMKG has been conducting research to monitor radon gas concentrations in the DI Yogyakarta region precisely in Piyungan and Pundong districts with the aim of monitoring radon gas concentrations in the Opak fault. In 2021, the BMKG Research and Development Centre added a new radon gas monitoring network in the active fault areas of Cimandiri and Lembang in the West Java province. There are 1 station in the Cimandiri fault segment and 2 stations in the Lembang fault section. It is hoped that in the future the results of monitoring can reduce the impact caused by the earthquake disaster in Indonesia.

Rising Canadian and falling Swedish radon gas exposure as a consequence of 20th to 21st century residential build practices

Radioactive radon gas inhalation is a major cause of lung cancer worldwide and is a consequence of the built environment. The average radon level of properties built in a given period (their ‘innate radon risk’) varies over time and by region, although the underlying reasons for these differences are unclear. To investigate this, we analyzed long term radon tests and buildings from 25,489 Canadian to 38,596 Swedish residential properties constructed after 1945. While Canadian and Swedish properties built from 1970 to 1980s are comparable (96–103 Bq/m3), innate radon risks subsequently diverge, rising in Canada and falling in Sweden such that Canadian houses built in the 2010–2020s have 467% greater radon (131 Bq/m3) versus Swedish equivalents (28 Bq/m3). These trends are consistent across distinct building types, and regional subdivisions. The introduction of energy efficiency measures (such as heat recovery ventilation) within each nation’s build codes are independent of radon fluctuations over time. Deep learning-based models forecast that (without intervention) the average Canadian residential radon level will increase to 176 Bq/m3 by 2050. Provisions in the 2010 Canada Build Code have not significantly reduced innate radon risks, highlighting the urgency of novel code interventions to achieve systemic radon reduction and cancer prevention in Canada.

Measurement of Natural Radionuclides and Radon Gas Concentration in Surface Soil samples within Jalingo Metropolis, North East Nigeria

Activity concentrations of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) and radon gas in soil samples collected within Jalingo Metropolis were assessed by gamma spectrometric techniques using Na (TI) scintillation detector. The result showed an average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K to be 18.626±7.31 Bq/kg, 16.709±10.96 Bq/kg and,167.935±389.33 Bq/kg. The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th were lower than the world average value while 40K was far higher that the recommended value.Most people in the study area use soil for building construction therefore, it was necessary to asses if there are any radiological hazards associated with the soil. This was achieved by determining Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), internal hazard index (Hin) and Annual effective dose rate. The result indicates that the indices are within normal limit. The Radon concentration in soil varies 11.126±1.315 kBq/kg to 30.374±3.331 kBq/kg with a mean value of 17.881±7.019 kBq/kg which is within the safety limits. Generally, the result showed that the soil in the study area might not pose major hazard to the members of the public

Risk and Crisis Communication about Invisible Hazards

This article discusses differences between invisible and visible hazards, and how these differences can affect risk and crisis communication. Invisible hazards are risks that we cannot see, and often cannot touch, taste, nor smell. Examples are COVID-19, radon gas, mold spores, or asbestos fibers. Invisible hazards are often uncertain, complex, and ambiguous risk problems. Results from a Norwegian study show that authorities need to be aware of the possible differences in risk perception among authorities, stakeholders, and the general public. Involving citizens, creating trust, and being honest is important for all risk and crisis communication. However, the less we know about a hazard, the more we need to rely on others to make decisions, and consequently trust is particularly important when dealing with invisible hazards.