Factors influencing soil as a source of indoor radon: Framework for assessing radon source potential

Nazaroff, William W.; Moed, B.A.; Sextro, R.G.; Revzan, K.L.; Nero, A.V.

doi:10.2172/5494347

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…The best characterized and perhaps most im-portant such problem is that of indoor radon, a pollutant that accounts for approximately half of the effective dose equivalent to the public from natural radiation (1) and that is estimated to cause several thousand lung cancers annually in the U.S. (2). Researchers in several countries, including the U.S. (3), Canada (4), and Sweden (5), are investigating soil as the major source of radon indoors. A second potentially important problem is suggested by the recent discovery of high concentrations of vinyl chloride in several Southern California houses built near a wastedisposal site (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, control measures that are based either on blocking soil gas entry pathways or on diverting soil gas from the building structure to the ambient atmosphere have often been successful in reducing indoor radon concentrations (8,9). Furthermore, simple calculations and mathematical models have shown that pressure-driven flows through soil, induced by wind and temperature differences, are sufficient to produce large radon entry rates (3,4). Despite these research efforts, a comprehensive understanding of the transport processes and pathways by which soil air enters buildings is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Experiments on pollutant transport from soil into residential basements by pressure-driven airflow

Nazaroff¹,

Lewis²,

Doyle³

et al. 1987

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiments on pollutant transport from soil into residential basements by pressure-driven airflow

Nazaroff¹,

Lewis²,

Doyle³

et al. 1987

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Микроскопичните процеси, при които дифузията и конвекцията са доминиращи (Porstendörfer, 1994); 2. Макроскопичните процеси, които включват поток през пукнатини, разломи и подземни пещери (Nazaroff et al, 1988).…”

Section: въведениеunclassified

Status of the geogenic radon potential investigations in Bulgaria

Mihaylova¹,

Trayanova²,

Mutovska³

2022

Eng. Geol. and Hydrogeol.

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Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive gas and formed as a result of the radioactive decay of radium. 222Rn relieved from the ground could accumulate in the building and contribute to human exposure. Exposure to indoor radon and its decay products contributes to half of the annual dose received by the public from all natural radioactive sources. Radon is recognized as a carcinogenic agent by the WHO and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. The radon concentration in buildings and the exposure to radon depend on many factors, but it can be assumed that geology is the main factor influencing the variation of indoor radon. In this regard, the geogenic radon potential (GRP) of the terrain is the probability of the presence of high radon concentration in a building, the genesis of which is directly related to the influence of the earth's surface, and not e.g. from building materials. In addition, there is a concept “radon index”, which is used to characterize GRP. One of the approaches for quantifying the radon index is based on a multivariate cross-tabulation, which includes two parameters – radon concentration in soil gas and gas permeability of the earth layer. Till 2019, complex studies concerning correlation between the measured radon concentrations and bedrock geology in Bulgaria are only scarce and quite general. In the last three years, there are attempts for detailed investigations for evaluation of the bedrock and superficial geology associating with radon potential or/and radon index determinations. Therefore, research works on geogenic radon so far in Bulgaria can be divided into two main groups: regional research works related to the "radon-rock" relationship and local research aimed at determining the radon index at specific sites. In the first group appertain investigations about defining the rock formations in Bulgaria, in their outcrop presence, with possible high radon potential based on geological and published more general “radon–rock correlations” data. Based on that, a GIS based map for the spatial distribution of the particular rock types in accordance with the expected radon potential is made. Also to this group belongs a study concerning spatial sampling design for the use of the polygons (Sliven Province) as the unit of sampling, data collection, and analysis and reduces the number of observations, as well as would optimize the gathering, analysis and systematization of the data for the preparation of a methodology for the preparation of geogenic radon potential map. In the second group appertain investigations of the radon index determination at the two pilot sites affected by fault systems in Sofia.

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“…Rn gas travels over large distances on the surface of the Earth through different methods. Such as diffusion, convection, or advection [4]. The soil with a lower and medium permeability, diffusion takes priority, but for soils with higher permeability, convection transport takes precedence [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Effects of Earthquakes on Radon and Total Electron Content Values and Meteorological Changes on the North Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye

Mohammed

Külahçı

ALALI

2023

Turkish Journal of Science and Technology

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A cross-correlation analysis is proposed to analyze the relationships of soil Radon-222 gas, Ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC), and some meteorological variables with earthquakes from the North Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye, one of the most active fault lines in the World. Statistically significant results are obtained for Earthquake-Rn gas changes and Seismo-Ionospheric Coupling. In addition, we think that this study will be an important step for further studies on earthquake precursors.

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Factors influencing soil as a source of indoor radon: Framework for assessing radon source potential

Cited by 15 publications

References 82 publications

Experiments on pollutant transport from soil into residential basements by pressure-driven airflow

Experiments on pollutant transport from soil into residential basements by pressure-driven airflow

Status of the geogenic radon potential investigations in Bulgaria

Evaluation of the Effects of Earthquakes on Radon and Total Electron Content Values and Meteorological Changes on the North Anatolian Fault Zone, Türkiye

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