Radon Concentrations in Elementary Schools in Kuwait

Abstract

Measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed in 25 classrooms in the capital city of Kuwait from September 2003 to March 2004 using track etch detectors. The investigation was focused on area, ventilation, windows, air conditioners, fans, and floor number. All the schools have nearly the same design. Mean indoor radon concentration was higher for case subjects (classrooms) than for control subjects (locations in inert gas, p < 0.001). The mean alpha dose equivalent rate for case subjects, 0.97 +/- 0.25 mSv y, was higher than the radiation dose equivalent rate value of control subjects, 0.43 +/- 0.11 mSv y. The average radon concentrations were found to be 16 +/- 4 Bq m for the first floor and 19 +/- 4.8 Bq m for the second floor after subtraction of the control. These values lead to average effective dose equivalent rates of 0.40 +/- 0.10 and 0.48 +/- 0.12 mSv y, respectively. The equilibrium factor between radon and its progeny was found to be 0.6 +/- 0.2.

Estimating the radon concentration in water and indoor air

“…The mean radon concentrations in elementary schools in Kuwait have been measured and found 17 Bq m −3 after subtracting the control (Maged 2006).…”

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

“…The present study during the years 2013-2015, revealed a direct proportion of pollution from cars with that of the corresponding car parks, automobiles on the road and the recent rise of population in Kuwait. Studies [13,17,21] reported the effects of radon concentrations in indoor and outdoor environment of Kuwait. Limitation to such studies attributed to the: (a) difficult technicalities involved in their assessment, (b) inaccessibility of sampling strategies in the public and, (c) unawareness to respiratory illness caused by radon and their progeny.…”

“…Studies [15,18,19,20] showed high radon concentrations in the basement of buildings (58 Bq/m 3 ) than the first and second floors (29 Bq/m 3 and 15 Bq/m 3 ) respectively. However, Maged [21] observed the reverse phenomenon of radon concentrations variation in the first floor (16Bq/m 3 ) and the second floor (23.8Bq/m 3 ) of schools in Kuwait respectively, attributing to the lack of proper heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) system and poor maintenance of the building at the second floor. Findings [22,23,24] confirmed the maintenance of a standard thermal comfort index for buildings occupants.…”

Indoor air pollution and exposure assessment of the gulf cooperation council countries: A critical review

“…In educational institutions, Radon testing was carried out in 25 school buildings with similar building designs and HVAC systems over a period of 6 months with Track-Etch detectors. The results showed a mean Radon level of 16 ± 4 Bq/m 3 and alpha dose equivalent rate of 0.97 ± 0.25 mSv/yr (Maged, 2006). Another 2-year comparative indoor Radon gas assessment among a total of 150 schools and residential buildings was conducted in Kuwait by Al-Awadi and Khan (2018).…”