Sensitivity Analysis of the Weighted Equivalent Lung Dose Per Unit Exposure from Radon Progeny

Abstract

A sensitivity analysis has been performed to identify those ICRP Publication 66 Human Respiratory Tract Model parameters which significantly affect the lung dose arising from the inhalation of radon progeny under conditions found in houses. The analysis was performed to investigate the sensitivity of the weighted committed equivalent dose to lung per unit radon progeny exposure to (i) aerosol parameters, (ii) subject related parameters, (iii) target cell parameters, and (iv) the absorption rates of radon progeny. The weighted committed equivalent dose per unit exposure to radon progeny varied between 8 mSv and 33 mSv per working level month for conditions of radon progeny in homes. The parameters most affecting the equivalent lung dose are identified. The analysis also showed that the absorption rates of the radon progeny would have to be substantially faster than the current estimates (ln 2/10 h-1) to have an effect on the equivalent lung dose.