Long-Term Impacts of Weather Conditions on Indoor Radon Concentration Measurements in Switzerland

Joan Frédéric Rey,Joëlle Goyette Pernot,Fabio Barazza,Mauro Gandolla,Stéphane Goyette,Martha Palacios

doi:10.3390/atmos13010092

Abstract

Radon is a natural and radioactive gas that can accumulate in indoor environments. Indoor radon concentration (IRC) is influenced, among other factors, by meteorology, which is the subject of this paper. Weather parameters impact indoor radon levels and have already been investigated, but rarely in Switzerland. Moreover, there is a strong need for a better understanding of the radon behaviour inside buildings in Switzerland for public health concerns as Switzerland is a radon prone area. Based on long-term, continuous, and hourly radon measurements, radon distributions classified according to different weather event definitions were investigated and then compared at three different study sites in Western Switzerland. Outdoor temperature influences the most indoor radon, and it is globally anti-correlated. Wind influences indoor radon, but it strongly depends on intensity, direction, and building characteristics. Precipitation influences periodically indoor radon levels relatively to their intensity. Atmospheric pressure and relative humidity do not seem to be huge determinants on IRC. Our results are in line with previous findings and provide a vivid example in Western Switzerland. This paper underlines the different influence complexities of radon, and the need to communicate about it within the broader public and with construction professionals, to raise awareness.

Highlights

Published: 7 January 2022Radon-222 is an odourless, colourless, and tasteless radioactive natural noble gas, with a half-life of 3.82 days [1]
In Switzerland, radon concentration potential is higher in some alpine regions and in the Jura mountains [6]
The three study sites were characterized by many different features, but shared indoor radon as a common feature

Summary

Introduction

Published: 7 January 2022Radon-222 is an odourless, colourless, and tasteless radioactive natural noble gas, with a half-life of 3.82 days [1]. In Switzerland, local and regional geology influence the presence (or not) of radon, as demonstrated by Kroppat et al [4] Sedimentary rocks, such as limestone and shale, can lead to a low to medium risk of IRC, while granitic formation can lead to a high risk of IRC [5]. Radon access into the indoor environment through tightness defaults in a built-up surface with ground contact. These paths are multiple: through walls and floor cracks, pipes, plumbing, joints, leaky basement doors [3,11].

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