Abstract
The presence of high indoor radon concentrations, C x , is a major concern of the public worldwide. Measurements of indoor radon in South Lebanon have been achieved using CR-39 detectors. C x values ranged between 30 and 122 Bq m−3 in one of the major towns in the area and are compared with measured atmospheric air Radon. Moderate seasonal variation of C x indoors has been observed, although 90 % of the obtained indoor C x measurements are below 100 Bq m−3. Some homes produced C x readings above the permissible limit. Results showed that the ventilation effect played a major factor in reducing radon concentration levels indoors. Health assessment has been considered. Annual effective doses of radon varied from 1.01 ± 0.10 to 8.65 ± 0.50 mSv a−1 in six homes in one of the four cases studied. These dosage values are above the permitted limit of 2.5 mSv a−1. Several types of granite contained in the studied homes were identified and their contributions to radon levels indoors were calculated.
Highlights
The health impact of exposure to radon gas, 222Rn, inhalation by humans in the indoor environment is a major public concern worldwide. This exposure is due to emanation of radon gas from the decay chains of radioactive thorium (232Th) and uranium (238U), which are present in soil layers (Singh and Virk 1996; Sharma et al 2003; Abdallah et al 2007; Lawrence et al 2009) and indoor construction materials, especially granite used as a countertop in kitchens or indoors as a decorative material (Kobeissi et al 2013)
Except one, are above the limit of 1 mSv a-1 set by UNSCEAR for building materials
Radon concentration indoors and outdoors in South Lebanon have been measured in three seasonal periods during the year in 2010
Summary
The health impact of exposure to radon gas, 222Rn, inhalation by humans in the indoor environment is a major public concern worldwide. This exposure is due to emanation of radon gas from the decay chains of radioactive thorium (232Th) and uranium (238U), which are present in soil layers (Singh and Virk 1996; Sharma et al 2003; Abdallah et al 2007; Lawrence et al 2009) and indoor construction materials, especially granite used as a countertop in kitchens or indoors as a decorative material (Kobeissi et al 2013). The element 222Rn (indicated as Rn in the text), is the most important radioactive element due to its properties as an emitter of a particles with energy levels of 5.48 MeV, its half-life of 3.82 days, and its ability to penetrate through the ground and structural materials to reach the outdoor atmosphere and indoor spaces (Nazaroff and Nero 1988)
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