Abstract
The paper presents the results of a national radon survey conducted in the context of the Republic of Moldova. The study included about 2500 homes of different types, located in urban and rural localities in different areas of the country. The RADTRAK2 detectors kindly provided by the RADONOVA laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden, for the MOL9007 project funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been used. The exposure period was 90 days. The measured radon concentrations are the following: the average (±standard deviation) 252.8 ± 215.9 Bq/m3; the range (minimum–maximum) 10–1480 Bq/m3; the median 200 Bq/m3 and the geometric mean (± geometric standard deviation) 158.5 ± 3.0 Bq/m3. The results of the study allowed mapping indoor radon and identifying localities with increased radon concentrations. In order to reduce the high radon concentrations in places recording >300 Bq/m3, appropriate measures have been proposed according to the legislation in force. The cluster analysis showed positive links between the radon concentration in dwellings and the incidence of respiratory diseases, especially the bronchopulmonary cancer in the country.
Highlights
The exposure of the population to natural radioactive sources is primarily due to radon (222Rn), which constitutes over 50% of the total exposure [1]
This methodology was used in the measurement of 222Rn in the indoor air of different types of dwellings (n = 2500) in rural and urban areas of the main areas of the Republic of Moldova
Radon concentrations were monitored in the air of different types of dwellings (n = 2500) located in rural and urban localities of different areas of the Republic of Moldova using long-term alpha detectors of the RADTRAK2 type with an exposure period of 90 days
Summary
The exposure of the population to natural radioactive sources is primarily due to radon (222Rn), which constitutes over 50% of the total exposure [1]. Radioactive gas present in soil, with a half-life of 3.8 days by the alpha decay. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and naturally originates in rock and soil. Being radioactive, are called the descendants of radon and include 218Po, 214Pb, 214Bi and 214Po. Radon moves freely in the air and can be inhaled. Radon moves freely in the air and can be inhaled It is quickly exhaled, but its decay products can settle in the lung, where they continue to undergo radioactive decay and give a dose of radiation to the lung tissue [2]
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