Abstract
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that may cumulate in indoor environments. The impacts of weather events on indoor radon concentration had been explored in different places around the world but only marginally in Switzerland. Using basic statistical analysis, this study investigates different meteorological parameters’ influence on indoor radon concentrations and shows that outdoor air temperature is the most influential beyond others. Finally, this paper highlights the importance of radon dynamic in buildings, a topic often overlooked by construction professionals and the broader public in Switzerland.
Highlights
Radon 222 is an odourless, colourless and tasteless radioactive natural noble gas with a half-life of 3.82 days [1]
This study investigates different meteorological parameters’ influence on indoor radon concentrations and shows that outdoor air temperature is the most influential beyond others
Building professionals should always promote at least a good ventilation concept in the building as it is formerly required in the SIA180/1 norm [19], and population should be advised that even natural ventilation help to limit Indoor radon concentrations (IRC)
Summary
Radon 222 is an odourless, colourless and tasteless radioactive natural noble gas with a half-life of 3.82 days [1]. Radon may diffuse into indoor environment mainly by tightness defaults in built-up surface with ground contact [2]. Radon can accumulate and reach harmful concentration because of its continuous source and its decay products. Due to its negative impacts on human respiratory system, indoor radon is of major concern in terms of public health: from 200 to 300 lung cancer deaths are imputable to indoor radon exposure each year in Switzerland [3]. Radon issues and health impacts are relatively unfamiliar to the Swiss population. In 1995, 31.5% of the Swiss population had heard once about radon gas, while this part reached up to 40% in 2008 [4] and 55% in 2019 [5]. The lack of knowledge from both population and building professionals on radon related topics may increase the exposure and risk, on lung-cancer prevalence. This paper aims to restate the importance of tackling radon related issues
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