An assessment of uncertainty using two different modelling techniques to estimate the cost effectiveness of mitigating radon in existing housing in Canada

Gaskin, Janet; Whyte, Jeff; Coyle, Doug

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138092

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Many countries have developed national radon action plans and have established indoor radon reference concentrations, varying from 100 Bq m −3 to 200 Bq m −3 and 300 Bq m −3 for residential homes and workplaces (Cinelli et al 2019a). Well-tested, durable and cost-efficient mitigation methods exist to prevent radon entry into new buildings and to reduce radon in existing buildings (WHO 2009, Health Canada 2010, Khan et al 2019, Gaskin et al 2020.…”

Section: Indoor Radon Activity Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor radon survey in Whitehorse, Canada, and dose assessment

Hansen

Sabo²,

Korn³

et al. 2023

J. Radiol. Prot.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Radon-222 (222Rn) and its decay products are the primary sources of the population's exposure to background ionizing radiation. Radon decay products are the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking for smokers. A community-driven long-term radon survey was completed in 232 residential homes in different subdivisions of Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, during the heating season from November to April in 2016 – 2017 and in 2017-2018. Radon concentrations were measured on the ground floors in living rooms and bedrooms. The arithmetic and geometric means of indoor radon activity concentrations in different subdivisions of Whitehorse ranged from 52 ± 0.6 Bq m-3 and 37 ± 2.3 Bq m-3 in the Downtown area of Whitehorse to 993.0 ± 55.0 Bq m-3 and 726.2 ± 2.4 Bq m-3 in Wolf Creek. Underlying geology and the glacial surfaces may partly explain these variations of indoor radon concentrations in subdivisions of Whitehorse. A total of 78 homes (34.0%) had radon concentrations higher than 100 Bq m-3, 47 homes (20.5%) had concentrations higher than 200 Bq m-3, and 33 homes (14.4%) had concentrations higher than 300 Bq m-3. The indoor radon contribution to the annual effective inhalation dose to the residents ranged from 3.0 mSv in the Downtown area to 51.0 mSv in Wolf Creek. The estimated annual average dose to adults in Whitehorse, Yukon, is higher than the world's average annual effective dose of 1.3 mSv due to inhalation of indoor radon. The annual radon inhalation effective dose was assessed using the radon measurements during the winter, hence the assessed dose may be overestimated. Cost-efficient mitigation methods exist to reduce radon in existing buildings, and to prevent radon entry into new buildings.

show abstract

Section: Indoor Radon Activity Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor radon survey in Whitehorse, Canada, and dose assessment

Hansen

Sabo²,

Korn³

et al. 2023

J. Radiol. Prot.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In dealing with ways to monitor radon emanation from uranium tailings from a cost-effectiveness point of view, Li [6] introduced a measurement method, application scope, and precautions of radon in ambient air by briefly describing the quality assurance measures for radon concentration measurement. Gaskin et al [7] found that selecting an appropriate model for cost-effectiveness analysis is critical in minimizing structural uncertainty and improving the cost-effectiveness of radon intervention measures, which can be achieved by increasing the speed of radon testing and mitigation. The selection of covering materials is a multifactor influence process, which includes primarily the environment, cost, number and thickness of covering layers, construction safety, and many other influencing factors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fuzzy Optimal Control of Radon Exhalation in Uranium Tailings under Double-Layer Coverage

Zhang

Jian-yong

2023

International Journal of Energy Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of covering material is an important measure to control the radon migration of uranium tailings. Radon diffusion and migration are affected by cover layer parameters, such as diffusion coefficient, overburden thickness, particle size, and ore body width. The radon reduction effect of single-layer mulching is often less than that of double-layer, and the material parameters of the cover layer are uncertain; however, they can be explained by a fuzzy dynamic equation. Firstly, the radon exhalation model is constructed with the radon percolation diffusion and migration method in a double-layer covering. Secondly, a fuzzy target of radon exhalation and a fuzzy constraint model are constructed subject to the total cost and thickness of covering material by a triangular membership function. Lastly, the models are aimed at solving the corresponding extreme value interval of the fuzzy target of radon exhalation by immune genetic algorithm, to reconstruct the fuzzy target, fuzzy constraint, and fuzzy aggregation function, where, ultimately, the optimal radon control decision can be obtained by swarm intelligence algorithm subject to different levels between possibility and importance. An example demonstrates a database of optimal decision-making schemes for double-layer coverage, and flexible management of radioactive pollutants is realized.

show abstract

“…It is necessary to establish building codes, public awareness and to undertake mitigation measures to reduce indoor radon exposure below the national reference level in existing houses. Well-tested, durable and cost-efficient mitigation methods exist to prevent radon from entering new buildings and to reduce radon in existing buildings [15,18,19]. Some authors emphasized a need to prevent radon in the construction phase of the building process as one of the priorities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Radon Testing, Effective Dose and Mitigation Measures in a Residential House of a Mining Area

Spasić,

Gulan,

Vučković

2024

Atmosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study presents the results of continuous indoor radon measurements in a test-house in the vicinity of the “Trepča” mine, near the town of Kosovska Mitrovica. Annual measurements were performed using the detector, Airthings Corentium Home, in the bedroom of an old residential building. A high estimated annual effective dose from radon (33 mSv) was calculated using the last ICRP dose conversion factor and is discussed here regarding the previously recommended ones. There are significant indications concerning the health hazard. Several measures are proposed and serve as a technical solution including other effective, low-cost radon mitigation procedures in order to reduce radon levels. The effectiveness of the applied measures resulted in a 44% reduction in radon concentration.

show abstract

An assessment of uncertainty using two different modelling techniques to estimate the cost effectiveness of mitigating radon in existing housing in Canada

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Indoor radon survey in Whitehorse, Canada, and dose assessment

Indoor radon survey in Whitehorse, Canada, and dose assessment

Fuzzy Optimal Control of Radon Exhalation in Uranium Tailings under Double-Layer Coverage

Indoor Radon Testing, Effective Dose and Mitigation Measures in a Residential House of a Mining Area

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About