A study of radon emitted from building materials using solid state nuclear track detectors

Abstract

Available online xxxKeywords: RadonExhalation rates Radium content Effective doseBuilding materials a b s t r a c t Radon is a natural radioactive gas derived from geologic materials. Inhalation of the shortlived decay products of radon has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing lung cancers if present at elevated levels. Accurate knowledge of exhalation rate plays an important role in characterization of the radon source strength in some building materials.For this purpose, in this study the Can Technique using CR-39 plastic track detectors was used to measure radium content and exhalation rates of radon in building samples collected from Jizan districts-a province in southern Saudi Arabia. The values of effective radium content are found to vary from 0.21 to 2.2 Bq kg À1 with a mean value of 0.92 Bq kg À1 and a standard deviation of 0.81. All the values of radium content in all samples under test were found to be quite lower than the permissible value of 370 Bq kg À1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The values of mass exhalation rates of radon vary from 1.6 to 16.7 mBq kg À1 h À1 with a mean value of 6.9 mBq kg À1 h À1 , while the surface exhalation rates vary from 29.7 to 998.9 mBq m À2 h À1 with a mean value of 219.6 mBq m À2 h À1 . Alpha index and annual effective doses have also been estimated.

Short-Term Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration in Northern Croatia

“…Indoor radon concentration values can vary on daily basis, depending on several factors: thermo-hygrometric conditions, time of season, soil types, strength of the radon source in the underlying bedrock, pressure changes created by the building as well as level of ventilation and occupancy itself also contribute significantly [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Since indoor radon concentrations vary with diurnal and seasonal variations, we consider these when performing short-term radon measurements.…”

A pilot study of radon levels in certified passive house buildings

“…Building material emissions are much lower than emissions from soil/ground gas and only apply to building materials such as ground rock and those which originate from ground rock such as sand, soil and cement. Concentrations of radon present in these building materials will vary depending upon geological origin [15]. Timber frame construction is the dominant form of construction in this sample and so the building material emissions will be relatively low.…”

Peer Review #2 of "Radon and thoron exhalation rate, emanation factor and radioactivity risks of building materials of the Iberian Peninsula (v0.1)"

“…The 222 Rn/ 220 Rn content accumulates in the surrounding air in a dwelling room, from building materials, depends on factors such as the room dimension, the parent element concentration, the subsequent exhalation directly from the soil and building materials in walls or soil (radon gain), the air exchange and the isotope radioactive decay. Therefore, building materials may cause an excess in the indoor 222 Rn or 220 Rn activity concentrations, which is described by the following equation (Amin, 2015):…”