Seasonal Variations in Radon and Thoron Exhalation Rates from Solid Concrete Interior Walls Observed Using In Situ Measurements

Abstract

Building materials, such as brick and concrete, are known indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) sources. Most radon and thoron exhalation studies are based on the laboratory testing of pieces and blocks of such materials. To discuss if laboratory findings can be applied to a real-world environment, we conducted intensive in situ exhalation tests on two solid concrete interior walls of an apartment in Japan for over a year. Exhalation rates of radon (JRn) and thoron (JTn) were measured using an accumulation chamber and dedicated monitors, alongside monitoring indoor air temperature (T) and absolute humidity (AHin). There were weak correlations between JRn or JTn and T or AHin at one tested wall, and moderate correlations of JRn and strong correlations of JTn with T or AHin at the other wall, meaning more or less seasonal variations. The findings aligned with previous laboratory experiments on JRn but lacked corresponding data for JTn. Additionally, a moderate or strong correlation between JRn and JTn was observed for both tested walls. Comparison with theoretical calculations revealed a new issue regarding the impact of each process of emanation and migration within concrete pores on radon and thoron exhalation. Overall, this study provides insight into parameterizing radon and thoron source inputs in modeling the spatiotemporal dynamics of indoor radon and thoron.