Continuous measurements of radon and radon progeny in various public places

Abstract

The exposure to radon in buildings open to the public and at workplaces depends on many factors, for example, forms of utilization, construction conditions, time of exposure, heating, and ventilation conditions, etc. To evaluate the radon exposure in different working environments, continuous simultaneous measurements of radon (CRn), equilibrium equivalent (EEC), and potential alpha energy (PAEC) concentrations for 24 hours were performed using AlphaE for CRn and DOSEman PRO from SARAD GmbH for EEC and PAEC measurements. The study considered measurements at three locations in the radon-rich spa of Narechen, Asenovgrad, and at an old mine turned museum in the town of Pernik. A comparison was made between the average values of the concentrations relating to all-day and only working hours when the measurements were completed. The CRn increases during the working hours in the museum as well as in the bath of the spa, while it decreases in the spa’s treatment room. On the other hand, the EEC and PAEC are increasing at all locations. The concentrations increasing due to working hours, which are integrated into long-term measurements can cause underestimated radon exposures in radon reach working environment.