Radon Measurements in Kindergartens in Ural Region (Russia)

Abstract

The radon survey of kindergartens has been conducted in Sverdlovskaya oblast during 2013-16. Indoor radon concentrations have been measured in 180 kindergartens in 21 villages and 10 towns. The LR-115 nuclear track detectors were placed in 560 rooms (three or four rooms per kindergarten) during 2-3 months. To obtain annual values, radon measurements were carried in the cold and warm seasons. The arithmetic and geometric means of annual indoor radon concentrations in rooms are 59 and 42 Bq/m3 respectively, GSD = 2.33. Analysis of the building factors affecting radon entry is presented. The detailed radon survey was performed in one kindergarten where exceeding of national action radon level was observed.

Associations Between School Characteristics and Classroom Radon Concentrations in Utah’s Public Schools: A Project Completed by University Environmental Health Students

“…Assessments of radon concentrations in classrooms in Serbia and Portugal reported significant variability between classrooms located on ground floors compared to upper-floor classrooms [26,27]. Classroom radon concentrations in these studies varied significantly by the building's method of construction (e.g., foundation vs. no foundation), types of materials used to build the schools (e.g., brick vs. concrete), and types of windows installed [28,29]. Although we did not evaluate associations between building materials and classroom radon concentrations in our study, we did find a positive, but nonsignificant, association between classroom radon concentrations and age of the school, which could be a proxy for differing construction methods and materials over time.…”