Accurate Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration using a Low-Effective Volume Radon Monitor

Tanaka, Aya; Minami, Nodoka(神戸薬科大学); Yasuoka, Yumi; Iimoto, Takeshi; Omori, Yasutaka; Nagahama, Hiroyuki; Muto, Jun; Mukai, Takahiro

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncx050

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…That said, when averaged over larger sampling times, as Carmona and Kearfott (2019) did, the AlphaGUARD measurements smooth out and follow closely with results from other devices. A similar phenomenon was observed by Tanaka et al (2017), who compared AlphaGUARD with more sensitive and accurate monitoring devices under different steady-state conditions. Though the effect is thus unlikely due to actual changes in radon level, the exact cause, whether due to noise or sensitivity drift, requires further investigation, the result of which may challenge the "gold standard" assumption.…”

Section: Calibration and Steady-state Conditionssupporting

confidence: 76%

Radon Kinetics in a Basement Space Measured with Different Devices

2021

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Although indoor monitoring of radon and benchmarking of radon measurement devices remain important research topics, few intercomparisons of active radon measurement devices have been performed under realistic conditions, let alone dynamic ones enabling comparison of their transient behavior. Five different radon monitors were therefore placed in a poorly ventilated basement space under three different conditions: 24 h under a steady, elevated radon level, 24 h with fans turned on to produce a radon washout transient, and 9 d with fans turned off for a radon buildup transient. Resulting radon concentrations varied between ~200 and ~2,000 Bq m−3. Accuracy of the devices were evaluated using root-mean-square error, and ventilation data were fit to first order linear compartmental models. To more accurately model behaviors such as cyclic diurnal variations, the source term corresponding to entry of radon from soil into the basement was considered to be non-constant, as it is likely to vary drastically with both the indoor-outdoor pressure differential and soil concentration variations. The improved radon washout model fit very well with the measurements. Despite a wide variety in list prices, all devices performed similarly during transients and at different radon concentrations.

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Section: Calibration and Steady-state Conditionssupporting

confidence: 76%

Radon Kinetics in a Basement Space Measured with Different Devices

2021

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“…To further investigate the high radon concentrations measured in some of the locations in two storage facilities-CRSP 1 and WRSP 3-continuous radon monitoring was conducted using AlphaGUARD (P0002451, Saphymo GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany), a real-time dosimeter. The AlphaGUARD is a well established portable device for radon measurement with an effective volume of 0.56 L and works in the pump mode or the diffusion mode through a large surface glass-fiber filter (Tanaka et al 2017). In addition to radon concentration levels, AlphaGUARD also provides data on the temperature, pressure, and humidity in the assessed locations that may impact the radon concentration.…”

Section: Real-time Radon Measurement In Underground Storage Facilitie...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Radon Assessment in Underground Storage Facilities in Saudi Arabia

2021

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An occupational radon assessment was conducted at five underground storage facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to evaluate the radon concentration and determine if remedial action is required to ameliorate conditions and ensure compliance with international guidance on acceptable radon levels in working environments. The assessment was carried out in four operational areas in the underground storage facilities routinely occupied or visited by workers. Initial radon concentrations were obtained using 293 passive CR-39 Nuclear Track Detector (NTD) radon dosimeters installed in the four operational areas for all the underground storage facilities. The detectors were left in place for 12 mo. As some of the radon measurements exceeded the International Atomic Energy Agency reference level of 1,000 Bq m−3 for radon in workplaces, a follow-up assessment was conducted using a real-time monitoring device in locations where high radon levels were observed. The measured radon concentrations in the four operational areas in three of the five underground storage facilities were below the reference level, and in the remaining two storage facilities, low ventilation rates in one operational area were identified as the principal cause of elevated radon concentrations. Notwithstanding, the potential radiation dose from radon exposure was determined to be well below the International Commission on Radiation Protection reference annual dose level of 10 mSv in all five underground storage facilities. Radon exposure to workers in all the underground storage facilities was found to be within the reference dose level for workplaces and does not pose an acute health risk.

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“…Notably, maximum permissible indoor radon concentrations of 100 Bq/m 3 , 150 Bq/m 3, and 200-300 Bq/m 3 are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), respectively (World Health Organization, 2009;International Commission on Radiological Protection, 2010). A considerable number of studies were conducted in different countries in the world including Bangladesh to measure the indoor and soil gas radon concentration via various techniques because of the health hazard following exposure (Ali et al, 2015;Sedighian et al, 2015;Tanaka et al, 2017;Sherafat et al, 2019). Concerning earlier studies in Bangladesh, Asaduzzamam et al (2015) measured radon in different building materials collected from in and around Dhaka city using gamma spectrometry (Asaduzzaman (Miah et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon Concentrations in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Concomitant Health Hazards

et al. 2022

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Realizing the non-negligible health hazards due to radon exposure, the present study was carried out to measure the radon concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments of Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka (AECD), Bangladesh. A portable electrostatic radon-measuring device (RAD7) was used to determine the indoor radon levels in different laboratories of AECD, and a RAD7 detector with a stainless steel soil probe was employed to measure the soil gas radon in the surrounding areas of the AECD campus. The indoor radon concentration in various laboratories was found to vary from 11 ± 7 Bq/m3 to 360 ± 180 Bq/m3 with an average of 63 ± 33 Bq/m3. Overall, the average indoor radon level shows below the action level (300 Bq/m3) recommended by ICRP publication-126 for homes and workplaces. However, the laboratories having poor ventilation show a relatively higher radon level. The average soil gas radon concentration at different depths of 15 cm, 35 cm, and 55 cm was found to be 0.07 ± 0.01 kBq/m3, 2.31 ± 0.31 kBq/m3, and 22.5 ± 1.4 kBq/m3, respectively. The calculated average annual effective dose due to the inhalation of indoor radon in home and workplaces was found to be below the ICRP recommended value of 10 mSv/y. The present results could serve as a reference radon level in the indoor and outdoor environment in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

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Accurate Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration using a Low-Effective Volume Radon Monitor

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

Radon Kinetics in a Basement Space Measured with Different Devices

Radon Kinetics in a Basement Space Measured with Different Devices

Occupational Radon Assessment in Underground Storage Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Radon Concentrations in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Concomitant Health Hazards

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