During last decades, energy saving in new buildings became relevant within the energy efficiency strategies in various countries. Such energy efficient building characteristics as air tightening and low ventilation can compromise indoor air quality, in particular, increase radon concentration. In Russia, a significant part of the new buildings is the energy efficient multi-storey apartment houses. The aim of this study is to assess the significance of possible radon concentration increase in new energy efficient buildings in comparison with typical conventional multi-storey houses of previous periods. Radon surveys were conducted in Russian cities Ekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Saint-Petersburg and Krasnodar. The radon measurements were carried out in 478 flats using CR-39 nuclear track detectors. Energy efficiency index (EEI) was assigned to each house. All buildings were divided into six main categories. The smallest average radon concentration was observed in panel and brick houses built according to standard projects of 1970–1990 (four-city average 21 Bq/m3). The highest average radon concentration and EEI were observed in new energy efficient buildings (49 Bq/m3). The trend of radon increase in buildings ranked with high EEI index is observed in all cities. The potential increase of radiation exposure in energy-efficient buildings should be analyzed taking into account the principles of radiological protection.

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The article presents the results of field studies in the area of the Belarusian NPP in the pre-operational period. The «background» contents of gamma-emitting radionuclides in individual components of the environment are determined. The main array of dose rate measurements in the area of the NPP construction site is in the range 0.048 ÷ 0.089 μSv/h. External radiation in the surveyed area is formed at 96% due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th. The information obtained can be used to correctly interpret the data of future radiation monitoring during normal operation of nuclear power plants.

14C is naturally and artificially occurred radionuclide presented in atmosphere. 14C is produced during the operation of a nuclear reactor of any type, enters the atmosphere and became a part of carbon cycle. The article presents the results of measuring the concentration of 14C in the tree rings of 10 pines in the area of the Beloyarsk NPP (BelNPP) and the Institute of Nuclear Materials (INM), Zarechny. The sampling site, located 1200 m east of the INM, was selected based on long-term observations of meteorological parameters. The measurements were carried out using the accelerator mass spectrometer of the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk. The influence of the operation of nuclear installations on the concentration of 14C in the atmospheric air is demonstrated. The range of values for the concentration of carbon-14 in the sample ranged from 116.0 ± 4.4 to 192.0 ± 8.5 pMC.

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.