Pilot study of indoor radon in Greek workplaces

Abstract

Radon and gamma dose rate measurements have been performed in 561 workplaces in 19 prefectures of Greece. The distribution of radon concentration can be well described by a log-normal distribution. Most of the radon concentrations are between 50 and 200 Bq m(-3) with an arithmetic mean of 123 Bq m(-3). The maximum measured value of radon gas concentration is 695 Bq m(-3). About 10% of the workplaces exceed 200 Bq m(-3). Only a small fraction ( approximately 1%) of workplaces exceed the European Commission action level (400 Bq m(-3)). Despite the relative small fraction of workplaces which exceed the value of 400 Bq m(-3), it is clear from the results of the present work that for certain prefectures, further and more extensive research is needed.

A prediction model for assessing residential radon concentration in Switzerland

“…Two recent publications recommend considering schools when applying housing type as predictor due to different air exchange rate between homes and schools (Clouvas et al, 2007;Venoso et al, 2009). An Irish study shows higher mean radon concentrations for schools (93 Bq/m 3 ) than for homes (89 Bq/m 3 ) (Long and Fenton, 2011).…”

“…is a relevant factor for radon exposure, as radon gas concentrations are known to be lower in upper floors due to the greater distance from the soil and rocks beneath the building (Gerken et al, 2000;Gunby et al, 1993;Papaefthymiou et al, 2003;Sundal et al, 2004). Room ventilation attenuates radon levels, and room type has been used as a proxy for ventilation in several studies (Clouvas et al, 2007;Venoso et al, 2009).…”

Radon and radioactivity at a town overlying Uranium ores in northern Greece

“…While measurements have been performed in spas (Danali et al, 1986), caves (Papachristodoulou et al, 2004), active faults (Papastefanou et al, 2001) and mines (Georgiou et al, 1988), literature on indoor levels in dwellings is not very extensive (Clouvas et al, 2007(Clouvas et al, , 2011Geranios et al, 2001;Ioannides et al, 2000;Nikolopoulos et al, 2002). Measurements of Rn emanation have been performed in Greek cement constituents (Maraziotis, 1987) and building materials (Papastefanou et al, 1984;Siotis and Wrixon, 1984).…”

Indoor radon levels in Greek schools

“…Large-scale radon surveys have been performed in many countries (UNSCEAR, 2000). In Greece, two relatively large radon surveys have been carried out from 1995e1998 in 1277 dwellings (Nikolopoulos et al, 2002) and from 1999e2006 in 561 workplaces (Clouvas et al, 2007) respectively. Smaller surveys concerning radon measurements only in schools were performed by Papaefthymiou and Georgiou (2007) in the town of Patras, Geranios et al (2001) in the town of Kalamata and Clouvas et al (2009) in the area of Xanthi.…”