A new approach to radon temporal correction factor based on active environmental monitoring devices

T Dicu,Ș Florică,A Lupulescu,G Dobrei,C Sainz,M Botoş,K Szacsvai,I Pap,A Cucoș,A Țenter,B D Burghele,Ș Grecu

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-88904-2

T Dicu, Ș Florică + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88904-2

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Abstract

The present study aims to identify novel means of increasing the accuracy of the estimated annual indoor radon concentration based on the application of temporal correction factors to short-term radon measurements. The necessity of accurate and more reliable temporal correction factors is in high demand, in the present age of speed. In this sense, radon measurements were continuously carried out, using a newly developed smart device accompanied by CR-39 detectors, for one full year, in 71 residential buildings located in 5 Romanian cities. The coefficient of variation for the temporal correction factors calculated for combinations between the start month and the duration of the measurement presented a low value (less than 10%) for measurements longer than 7 months, while a variability close to 20% can be reached by measurements of up to 4 months. Results obtained by generalized estimating equations indicate that average temporal correction factors are positively associated with CO2 ratio, as well as the interaction between this parameter and the month in which the measurement took place. The impact of the indoor-outdoor temperature differences was statistically insignificant. The obtained results could represent a reference point in the elaboration of new strategies for calculating the temporal correction factors and, consequently, the reduction of the uncertainties related to the estimation of the annual indoor radon concentration.

Highlights

The present study aims to identify novel means of increasing the accuracy of the estimated annual indoor radon concentration based on the application of temporal correction factors to short-term radon measurements
A viable indirect path to reduce the uncertainties associated to TCF could be to monitor additional parameters which could provide details related to synergistic effects on the distribution of the temporal correction factors
By applying Mann–Whitney test (M-W test) or Kruskal–Wallis test (K–W test) on the annual indoor radon concentration (AIRC) or indoor radon concentrations (IRC), regardless of the selected independent variable, represented by the building characteristics, no significant differences were registered between the samples

Summary

Introduction

The present study aims to identify novel means of increasing the accuracy of the estimated annual indoor radon concentration based on the application of temporal correction factors to short-term radon measurements. A viable indirect path to reduce the uncertainties associated to TCF could be to monitor additional parameters (indoor temperature, relative humidity, C O2, etc.) which could provide details related to synergistic effects on the distribution of the temporal correction factors. In this way, an adjusted value according to the details provided by the additional measurements will be used for the correction factor in order to assess the AIRC. The error associated with the estimation of the AIRC will be reduced compared to the scenario in which a national average value for the TCF would be used

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Conclusion