Mapping radon-prone areas using γ-radiation dose rate and geological information

Abstract

Identifying radon-prone areas is key to policies on the control of this environmental carcinogen. In the current paper, we present the methodology followed to delineate radon-prone areas in Spain. It combines information from indoor radon measurements with γ-radiation and geological maps. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it lessens the requirement for a high density of measurements by making use of commonly available information. It can be applied for an initial definition of radon-prone areas in countries committed to introducing a national radon policy or to improving existing radon maps in low population regions.

Estimation and mapping of uranium content of geological units in France

“…Radon levels in the environment can show important spatial variations on a regional or local scale. It has been recognized that this lateral variability is primarily attributed to geological parameters which control the radon source-term and/ or the radon migration in the ground (Appleton et al, 2015;Bossew, 2015;Drolet et al, 2013Drolet et al, , 2014García-Talavera et al, 2013;Gruber et al, 2013;Hahna et al, 2015;Ielsch et al, 2001Ielsch et al, , 2002Ielsch et al, , 2010Kropat et al, 2014;Scheib et al, 2013;Smethurst et al, 2008;Tondeur et al, 2015;Zhukovsky et al, 2012). Therefore, the knowledge of uranium and/or radium contents in rocks is of primary importance to determine the radon source term.…”

Soil gas radon assessment and development of a radon risk map in Bolsena, Central Italy

“…According to Bossew et al ( 2013 ), “Qualitatively, this concept denotes areas where observed or expected values of a 222 Rn-related variable are high with respect to reference values or with respect to the mean over the domain”. In general, radon-prone areas are identified according to two main strategies: (a) direct measurements of indoor radon concentration and (b) indirect methods including soil gas radon survey and gamma-dose assessment based on γ-spectrometry from laboratory, field and aerial surveys all implying the existence of a more or less known transfer factor from the crustal environment into the buildings (Dubois and Bossew 2006 ; García-Tavalera et al 2013 ). Since each single methodology is usually not sufficient to the scope, hybrid approaches are often used suggesting the need for integrated information as an optimal tool for radon area classification.…”

Radon priority areas - definition, estimation and uncertainty

“…How ever, both ig nore nat u ral re al ity, as the main spa tially con trol ling fac tor is ge ol ogy. Also us ing poly gons rep re sent ing geo log i cal units as es ti ma tion sup ports has in deed been con sid ered, e. g. in Spain [13].…”