Preliminary results of indoor radon survey in V4 countries

Abstract

The measurements of radon activity concentration carried out in residential houses of V4 countries (Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) show that radon levels in these countries considerably exceed the world average. Therefore, the new radon data and statistical analysis are required from these four countries. Each partner chose a region in their own country, where radon concentration in residential buildings was expected to be higher. The results of the survey carried out in the period from March 2012 to May 2012 show that radon concentrations are <200 Bq m(-3) in ∼87% of cases. However, dwellings with radon concentration ∼800 Bq m(-3) were found in Poland and Slovakia. It was also found that the distribution of radon frequency follows that of houses according to the year of their construction.

Basement Car Parks A Domicile of Radon Pollution Validated By Discomfort Index

“…The high Discomfort index (DI) at low temperature and high RH increasing the radon concentrations attributed to the permeability of the soil that mobilizes radon into the spaces in the basement buildings. This was found in agreement with the observations of the previous investigators [2,3,6,9,22] and observed within the standard permissible limits [8,24,25,26]. The high radon concentrations in car parks from sites GVI and GIV attributed to the influence of (a) external sources from the soil, (b) poor car parks maintenance in these areas and, (c) exhaust smoke emanated from the cars due to frequent car parking by the residents in such populated areas.…”

“…A 24h monitoring in the car park using Rad7 revealed the peak radon concentrations at 8 (Fig.3). Radon concentrations was moderately high during the months of November and February (early and late winter) and comparatively low in October and March (onset and late winter) (Fig.2).…”

“…Estimation reveals 50% of radon in humans from the radioactive decay of 238 U is from the environment [7]. Radon levels are higher in confined places and aged buildings in contact with the soil [8]. Radon reaches high concentrations in premises that are dependent upon the location, ventilation rate, temperature and relative humidity [9,10].…”

The Influence of Internal Wall and Floor Covering Materials and Ventilation Type on Indoor Radon and Thoron Levels in Hospitals of Kermanshah, Iran

“…Radon (222Rn), which is considered a noble gas, is colorless, odorless, tasteless and naturally radioactive ( 2 ). When inhaled, a fraction of radon and its progeny are transported to the lungs ( 3 ) and produce severe biological damage, which could eventually lead to lung cancer ( 4 - 6 ); alpha decay of radon and its progeny causes this radiation damage. Even though soil is the main source of indoor radon ( 7 ), studies have shown a positive correlation between the radon exhalation rate and its concentration in building materials ( 8 ).…”

The results of integration measurements of indoor radon activity concentration in houses in Ružomberok town (Northern Slovakia)

“…Integration measurements of indoor radon and thoron in houses were performed in the framework of the project "Harmonization of determining the radiation dose of the population originating from radon in V4 countries" (Műllerová et al, 2014). The objective of the project was to elaborate a common measurement protocol of the Visegrad countries for the measurement of indoor radon and thoron concentration (the placement of detectors, type of detectors, questionnaires).…”