Investigation of the air pressure characteristics influencing the variability of radon gas and radon progeny in domestic vernacular buildings.

Abstract

Analysis of time-series data sets collected in vernacular buildings linked with radium source bedrock has identified a number of internal and external pressure characteristics linking meteorological parameters with the variability of radon gas and its progeny. The buildings' cellars built into the bedrock associated with the radium source have relatively high levels of radon concentration. These cellars have essentially stable microclimatic conditions, unlike the ground and upper levels of the buildings. Comparative radon concentration data collected from various comparable buildings suggest the need to distinguish between short and longer-term influences on radon concentrations. Water vapor pressure is inferred to be a principal determinant of the short-term variability of radon gas concentrations. Barometric pressure is suggested as determining the trend or general longer-term level of radon. Both of these pressure components are related to temperature. Wind speed appears to have a dual influence on radon variability: directly, through wind pressure relative to the ground and building structure particularly associated with low-pressure weather regimes; and indirectly, through changes to the water vapor pressure component.