Abstract
The geology of an area can be used as a predictor for radon potential. Granite rock typically contains a high concentration of uranium and subsequent elevated emanation of radon gas. The geology of the western part of the Western Cape Province in South Africa is dominated by granite bedrock but very few studies on radon have been conducted in this area. Uranium concentrations were consequently measured on a large granite hill in the Saldanha Bay area of the Western Cape and a relationship between indoor radon and uranium concentrations was used to model radon potential on the outcrop. Results from granite rich environments in India were modelled in order to extract a relationship between indoor radon concentrations, radon exhalation rates and uranium concentrations. Radon exhalation rates greater than 0.35 Bq/m2h were predicted and estimated indoor radon concentrations in excess of 400 Bq/m3 were also predicted for the hill. The modelled results were compared with indoor radon measurements taken in the town of Paarl in the Western Cape, which sits on the same granite bedrock formation. The predicted radon potential correlated well with the physical measurements.
 Significance:
 
 Extensive in-situ uranium measurements were conducted by utilising a self-developed gamma-ray detection instrument (the GISPI) by means of a unique method.
Highlights
The dominant naturally occurring nuclides are uranium (238U), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K)
Radon gas has been identified as the dominant contributor to human exposure to radiation; the World Health Organization has reported that radon is the second largest carcinogen in lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoke.[1]
A measuring time of 5 min was allocated for the Global Positioning System (GPS) position acquisition and gamma-ray detection
Summary
The dominant naturally occurring nuclides are uranium (238U), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K). These nuclides are all of primordial origin. Uranium and thorium decay through long chains of progeny before reaching stable nuclides. Radium (226Ra) is a long-lived daughter in the progeny of uranium and is followed by radon (222Rn). Radon has a half-life of 3.82 days and occurs as a gas at atmospheric conditions. Radon gas has been identified as the dominant contributor to human exposure to radiation; the World Health Organization has reported that radon is the second largest carcinogen in lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoke.[1] According to the International Commission for Radiological Protection and the International Atomic Energy Agency, concentrations of radon in dwellings are recommended to be below 300 Bq/m3
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