Radon Concentration Measurements Research Articles

Preliminary studies on radon concentration in CO2-rich mineral waters of the Elbrus area (Caucasus, Russia)

The geological and geochemical conditions as well as radon concentrations of ten manifestations of СО2-rich waters in the Elbrus area are considered in this paper. Also, content of uranium and thorium were measured in waters and in host rocks. The data were compared with chemical and isotopic composition of associated gases. It is established that water bearing rocks are classified into rocks of low and normal radioactivity. The contents of uranium (<1.37 μg/L) and thorium (<0.3 μg/L) in the water are low. Measurements of radon concentrations in water and gas flux of mineral springs in the Elbrus area indicate that most of them are weakly radioactive (6–33 Bq/L, 25-350 Bq/m3, respectively). The CO2-rich mineral waters of the Tyrnyauz exhibit the highest level of radioactivity (33 Bq/L) within the Elbrus area. Isotopical gas studies have shown that within the Elbrus region there is a connection with the deep horizons of the Earth's crust, from which various fluids (water and gases) can rise to the surface. Although Rn values are low and cannot be used for medical purposes, natural objects with similar characteristics can be used to observe the state of the geological environment (e.g. earthquakes) and as natural laboratories to establish the mechanisms of deep gas migration to the surface.

Simulation of excess lifetime cancer risk due to the presence of radon in groundwater in Wamba town of Wamba local government area, Nasarawa state, Nigeria

The measurements of Radon concentration in ten groundwater (4-wells and 6-boreholes) from Wamba town of Wamba Local Government Area of Nigeria had been carried out. The annual effective dose (AED) and the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) due to ingestion of the groundwater was established to ascertain the risk outcome from the samples. Radon concentration was detected using RAD7. The minimum Radon concentration was 0.146 Bql-1 while the maximum was 0.474 Bql-1 with mean average of 0.3134 Bql-1 which are within the United States Environmental Protection Agencies (USEPA) 11.1 Bq/L recommendation. Moreso, the maximum and minimum Annual Effective Dose (AEDing) was 3.5×10^(-6) and 1.10×10^(-6) Sv/yr which are also within the 0.1 mSv/yr World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, while the maximum and minimum Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) was 1.44×10^(-5) and 4.50×10^(-6) respectively. Cumulative probability simulation of the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) was carried out using Oracle Crystal Ball software validated by 10 and 90% percentiles. Comparison of all the results with the European Union (EU)/World Health Organization (WHO) value of 500 Bq/L recommendation revealed that all the samples analyzed have Radon concentration below the recommended limit. The average mean Radon concentration in the ten locations from Wamba Town are within the recommended levels as confirmed by the simulation results. At 10% Probability, the highest risk was found in Event center (1.26×10^(-5)) while the lowest was found in the water sample collected from Angwan dalatu (1.05×10^(-6)) while at 90% probability the highest (1.62×10^(-5)) and lowest (1.37×10^(-6)) risk was found in the same Events center and Angwan dalatu. Though there is variation in the results based on locations which means that the concentration of Radon gas depends on the geological nature of the bedrock and generally increases with the uranium concentration in the local geology. The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) dose results are far lower than the UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations) recommended maximum contamination level of 0.003875. Therefore, no indication of any likelihood of cancer incidence as a result of waterborne radon within the studied community that may demand urgent intervention from radiological point of view.

Measurement of Radon Concentration and Estimation of Cancer Risk in Twenty-Four Model Houses in the Town of Koudougou

Measurement of Radon Concentration and Estimation of Cancer Risk in Twenty-Four Model Houses in the Town of Koudougou

The first test of indoor air quality in kindergartens of the Republic of Srpska

The first experimental results of the indoor air quality in two kindergartens located in the Republic of Srpska are presented in this paper. Kindergarten representatives for the year of construction (old and new), building materials, and energy efficiency have been chosen. Indoor air quality measurements (air temperature, relative humidity, ventilation rate, CO2, and radon concentration) were performed during the winter of 2015/2016. Measured indoor air quality parameters are discussed and compared to the international standards BAS EN 16798-1, ASHRAE 62.1, and ISO 7730. The average measured radon concentrations for both buildings have not exceeded the level of 200 Bq/m3, but for reliable results, long-term measurement needs to be performed. The CO2 concentration in the old kindergarten fulfills the BAS EN 16798-1 requirement for Category I during 62.43% of total occupancy time, while for the new kindergarten, it is only 5.79% of full occupancy time. Results of CO2 concentration confirm that good sealing of the envelope of new buildings and user behavior (number of users and natural ventilation) does affect air quality. Furthermore, a high correlation between CO2 concentration and relative humidity in both buildings and a more considerable correlation for the new building have been observed.

Исследование аэрогазодинамических процессов переноса радона из горных массивов

Introduction. Drying tailings are a source of gaseous chemicals, in particular radon222, which is carried by air currents along the slopes of the gorge. These processes need constant monitoring. Purpose of research. Establishment of climatic conditions most influencing the measurements of mountain radon and its dispersion in the atmosphere. Research methods and materials. The data of weather stations located in the Alagir mountain gorge and the data of the mathematical model of this gorge were used to establish the characteristic wind roses at the points of the gorge selected for field measurements of mountain radon. Research results. It has been established that at the nearby points of the mountain gorge, the prevailing direction and strength of the wind can differ significantly. The differences depend on the landscape features of the surface of the slopes of the mountain gorge. This factor determines the direction of migration of chemical elements and decay products of mountain radon. This conclusion is confirmed by direct measurement of wind speed at two points in the gorge, as well as by the results of mathematical modeling. Discussion of research results. A preliminary calculation of the passive impurity concentration field within the mountain gorge shows the most characteristic places on the slopes of the gorge from the point of view of measurements. Preliminary algorithm for choosing the location of measurements. Determination of 210Pb content in natural «traps» or sediments can determine the migration paths of «mountain» radon and estimate the magnitude of its interaction with the nature of the gorge, subject to the following assumptions: 1) certain sampling sites are not subject to significant seasonal disturbances; 2) natural and climatic conditions, especially the amount of precipitation, in the studied gorge should not have abnormal changes before sampling; 3) sampling should preferably be carried out in autumn on fallen leaves in hollows, where post-sedimentary migration is limited. Approbation of the proposed measurement technique is discussed. Conclusion. The prevailing winds in the side arms of mountain gorges can differ significantly from the wind rose observed in the main part of the gorge and are determined mainly by landscape features near the observation point. This must be taken into account when measuring and analyzing the direction of migration of chemicals in mountain gorges. Mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes in mountainous regions is a proven method for studying physical processes in mountain gorges, as well as the processes of dispersion of volatile geochemical elements emitted by sources in mountain gorges. It is shown that at the nearby points of the mountain gorge, the wind roses can differ significantly, which is confirmed by both measurements and mathematical modeling. This dictates the need for observations and taking into account the local wind rose at each measurement point. The results of radon measurements are presented, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Resume. 1. The article presents the results of mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes in mountain gorges and the spread of gaseous impurities in the air. 2. It has been established that wind roses at nearby points on the slopes of a mountain gorge can differ significantly, both in the results of the mathematical model and in the results of measurements from weather stations. It is shown that the agreement between the modeling and measurement results is satisfactory. 3. The research results can be useful in planning measurements of radon concentrations as a predictive map of the distribution of mountain radon concentrations.

Radon concentration in spring water as an indicator of seismic activity: a case study of the Muzaffarabad Fault in Pakistan.

Radon and its progenies found in water indicate the existence of seismically active faults in the region. However, exposure to high levels of radon can also result in radiation-related health risks. This study focuses on radon-based active tectonic studies along the Muzaffarabad Fault in the core of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS), NW Himalayas, Pakistan. In this study, spring water samples were collected along roadside of Jhelum Valley and in close proximity to the Muzaffarabad Fault in Pakistan using Radon Thoron Monitor (RTM1688-2). The results of the study showed that the radon concentrations in the water samples ranged from 1.895 to 17.097 Bq/l. The study found that the highest radon concentration was observed in the samples collected closest to the fault, while the lowest concentration was observed in the samples collected further away. The statistical analysis between the radon concentration and the distance from the fault showed a strong inverse relationship (R2=0.73). The study also found that 68% of the sampling sites had radon concentrations that exceeded the maximum contamination level (MCL) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The higher radon concentrations in the springs water suggest the probability of earthquake, which in turn poses potential health risks for the local population. The findings suggest that the measurement of radon concentration in water can be used as a tool for identifying seismically active faults in the region.

222Rn in selected waters sources from Quang Nam - Da Nang region - Central part of Vietnam

This paper presents the radon concentrations of forty-eight samples collected from lakes, streams and rivers as surface water, from dug well as ground water and from boreholes and thermal waters as underground waters in the Da Nang – Quang Nam, central part of Vietnam. The measured radon concentrations varied from 0.265 (in lake water) to 107 Bq L−1 (in underground water) with the following trend from the lowest to the highest: 222Rn in lakes<222Rn in rivers<222Rn in stream<222Rn in dug wells<222Rn in thermal waters<222Rn in drilled wells. Overall, the average 222Rn concentration in groundwater is twelve times higher than that in the surface water.Assuming that each person drinks 2.10−3 m3 d−1 and uses six cubic meters for washing purposes per month, the estimated total annual effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation of radon from the studied water samples ranges from 1.3 to 541 μSv y−1 for adults; from 1.2 to 479 μSv y−1 for children; and from 2.1 to 838 μSv y−1 for infants.

Estimation of radiation dose due to thoron and progeny inhalation in high background natural radiation area of Odisha, India

Abstract Results of the preliminary measurements of indoor radon, thoron and progeny concentrations showed very high values of thoron concentrations in the eastern coastal region of Odisha, India. Therefore, measurements of thoron and its progeny concentrations were extended to a larger number of houses in this area for the assessment of the radiation dose received by the public. The measured values of thoron concentrations were used for the calculation of annual effective doses. The estimated values of the annual effective dose due to thoron exposure were observed in the range of 0.2–14.7 mSv. The estimated radiation doses responsible for thoron exposure were observed considerably high in the region. The results obtained are compared with those obtained in other studies performed so far in the study area and a review of different studies involving different measurement techniques is presented in the paper. The results of this study support the preliminary studies showing high values of thoron levels in the study area.

Measurement of soil radon concentration in Balikesir and examination of its effects on health

Most of the natural radiation originates from radon, approximately 55%. This radiation occurs because of the radioactive decay of natural uranium found in rocks, soil and water. Because radon is in gaseous form, it can easily leak into living spaces and accumulate. Inhalation of radon and radon decay products is a significant health risk factor. Considering the high mortality rate of lung cancer in our country, inhalation of high radon concentrations has been associated with the risk of lung cancer. Accurate measurement of radon levels is especially important for dose assessment of radon exposure. In this study, it was aimed to determine the natural radon concentrations in Balikesir province and districts using the active method by soil measurement using the AlphaGUARD portable radon detector, and to perform radiological risk analyzes by determining the radon levels of the region covering Balikesir Province by measuring the natural radiation emitted from the soil. As a result of the measurements, the lowest radon concentration amount was measured in Akcay district of Balikesir province and its average value is 17.65 ± 2.71 kBq/m3. The humidity in the environment is 72.34%, the average pressure is 1013.61 hPa and the average temperature is 33.02 °C. The highest radon concentration amount was measured in Havran district of Balikesir province and its average value is 66.71 ± 2.52 kBq/m3. The humidity in the environment is 58.61%, the average pressure is 1007.91 hPa and the average temperature is 31.80 °C.

Indoor radon concentration levels in some selected offices at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria and its attendant annual effective dose

Although radon concentrations in outdoor environments are generally low, the indoor concentrations can become appreciably high thereby affecting the indoor air quality and causing some severe health challenges. Thirty (30) offices from the ground floor and first floor of some buildings within Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University campus, Lapai Nigeria, were randomly selected for indoor radon concentration (CRn) measurement using RAD7 continuous radon monitor. Annual effective dose was also computed to determine the level of public exposure. The results showed that radon concentration values for all the offices on the ground floor ranged between 9.6±2.7 Bqm−3 and 90.7±8.1 Bqm−3, with mean value of 28.5±4.8 Bqm−3 while the range of radon concentration at first floor was 2.5±1.4 Bqm−3 - 80.4±7.5 Bqm−3. All the measured indoor radon concentration levels were less than the 100 Bqm−3 action level proposed by World Health Organization (WHO). Average annual absorbed dose for both ground and first floors were 0.36±0.06 mSvy−1 and 0.24±0.05 mSvy−1 respectively, with corresponding mean annual effective dose of 0.86±0.15 mSvy−1 and 0.58±0.11 mSvy−1 in sequence. These values were below the 1.0 mSvy−1 safety limit set for public. Although the results did not suggest any immediate exposure threat to the public, it is important that the University staffs are adequately informed of indoor radon levels and its attendant health hazards. Improved and adequate ventilation of all the office buildings is highly encouraged in order to keep the radon levels as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).

Measuring radon concentration and investigation of it’s effects on lung cancer

The second most significant etiological factor contributing to the development of lung cancer, following tobacco smoking, is the presence of radon gas. Hence, the assessment of indoor radon levels within residential structures assumes paramount importance within the realm of public health. The primary objective of this investigation is to quantify the concentration of radon gas within the premises of Balikesir University Health Education and Research Hospital as well as the Faculty of Medicine Education building situated in the city of Balikesir. Furthermore, this research endeavors to ascertain the potential risk of lung cancer associated with these measured radon concentrations. To this end, an extensive, long-term (2–3 months) radon monitoring campaign was executed by strategically positioning Columbia Resin-39 (CR-39) solid-state nuclear track detectors at 28 distinct locations. The overarching aim of this effort is to comprehensively assess the health hazards posed to both staff and students and subsequently institute any requisite mitigating measures. The lowest measured value of the measured radon gas concentration is 6 Bq/m3, the highest measured value is 60 ± 8 Bq/m3. The average measurement value is 21.96 ± 3.16 Bq/m3. The measurement results were determined to be lower than the allowed radon activity concentration value in the “Radiation Safety Directive.

Measurement of radon concentration in soil gas and radon exhalation rate from soil samples along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India.

The present study focuses on measuring radon concentrations in soil gas at various depths, radon exhalation rate (surface and mass) from soil samples, and gamma dose rate along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Radon concentration in soil gas, surface, and mass exhalation rates was measured using a portable SMART radon monitor (RnDuo). Furthermore, the gamma dose rate was measured using a pocket radiation monitor. The soil gas radon concentration varied from 15 ± 4 to 579 ± 82Bqm-3 at a depth of 25cm, 10 ± 2 to 533 ± 75Bqm-3 at a depth of 30cm, and 9 ± 1 to 680 ± 95Bqm-3 at a depth of 35cm. The surface and mass exhalation rates were found 3 ± 0.7 to 98 ± 3Bqm-2h-1 (with AM ± SD = 36 ± 28Bqm-2h-1) and 1 ± 0.2 to 95 ± 2mBqkg-1h-1 (with AM ± SD = 30 ± 22mBqkg-1h-1), respectively. The gamma dose rate for the present study area varies from 0.11 ± 0.05 to 0.28 ± 0.05µSvh-1 with a mean value of 0.17 ± 0.05µSvh-1. The correlation analysis between the exhalation rates (mass and surface) and radon concentration of soil gas at various depths was carried out in the current study.

The Annual Amount of Radon Radiation from Drinking Water Sources in Children and Adults in Roudan county, Iran

Background: Radon is a major source of natural radiation in water, soil, and air. Natural sources of radiation are major contributors to the radiation humans and other living beings receive. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on drinking water sources of three cities and 18 villages of Roudan county in 2021. The measurement of radon concentration in the collected samples was performed using the RAD7 device. Results: In the studied water sources, the highest and lowest radon concentrations were 11.00±2.09 and 0.95±0.23 kBq/m3 , respectively. The average radon concentration was 4.98±0.76 Bq/L which was lower than 11 Bq/L (the EPA level recommended for drinking water). The mean annual effective dose of radon, due to direct and continuous water intake for adults and children was 48.01±11.56 and 65.86±15.86 µSv/y, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that radon concentrations in two regions of Roudan county were higher than the allowed World Health Organization (WHO) concentration and people who normally use these resources for drinking during the year are exposed to abnormal radiation levels.

Determination of the radiation dose from radon ingestion and inhalation in different types of drinking water samples collected from Bethlehem province –Palestine

The objective of this study is to investigate the levels of radon gas and increase public awareness of its hazards to health in Bethlehem governorate- Palestine. The concentrations of radon-222 and radium- 226 in 79 different types of water samples were measured. The average values of radon and radium concentrations in tap water, rainwater, groundwater, and mineral water samples were 0.93 Bq/ℓ and 45.5 Bq/kg, 1.01 Bq/ℓ and 49.3 Bq/kg, 1.21 Bq/ℓ and 59.3 Bq/kg, and 0.60 Bq/ℓ and 29.2 Bq/kg, respectively. All the measured radon concentrations in the collected samples were within the limit of 11 Bq/ℓ established by UNSCEAR in 1982. The annual effective doses for ingestion and inhalation due to radon in water were calculated for adults, children, and infants using parameters introduced by UNSCEAR in 2000. The results show that there is no significant risk to public health from radon inhalation or ingestion through drinking water in the study region.

Radon measurement and age-independent effective dose attributed to ingestion of bottled water in Iran: sensitivity analysis

A comprehensive study was made to measure the radon concentration in bottled water available in Iran market. The 222Rn concentration in 70 bottled water samples were measured by the sniffing mode technique and RTM 1688-2 (SARAD, Germany) in immediate sampling time and 3 months later for determination of radon decay. The measured radon concentration ranged from 0.003 to 0.618 Bq L−1 in bottled water samples, which were much lower than the recommended value for radon in drinking water by WHO (100 Bq L−1) and United states environmental protection agency (USEPA) (11.1 Bq L−1). The annual effective dose of 222Rn due to ingestion bottled water was also evaluated in this research. The mean annual effective dose due to ingestion of radon in bottled water for adults, children, and infants were estimated to vary from 5.30 × 10−4 mSv−1, 4.90 × 10−4 mSv−1, and 2.15 × 10−4 mSv−1, respectively. Overall, this study indicated that the Iranian people receive no significant radiological risk due to exposure to radon concentration in bottled water brands common consumed in Iranian market.

Mapping in a radon-prone area in Adamawa region, Cameroon, by measurement of radon activity concentration in soil.

The radon-prone area of the Adamawa region in Cameroon is characterized by high natural radiation background resulting from the high concentrations of radium-226, thorium-232, and indoor radon. To produce a radon-risk map, radon measurements in soil were carried out in the city of Ngaoundere. The radon activity concentration in soil gas ranged from 256 to 166kBqm-3 with a mean of 80kBqm-3 and a standard deviation of 38kBqm-3. The area is mostly classified as high risk (80%) according to the Swedish classification, and 20% as medium risk. A low-risk area was not observed. Granite-like geology sites were characterized by higher radon concentration. A ratio of about 295:1 was obtained for soil radon gas to indoor radon concentrations, with a positive correlation (R = 0.40), and a transfer factor of 3 per mil. These results demonstrate that in situ measurements of radon concentration in soil can provide accurate information on the level of indoor radon concentrations. Geostatistical and deterministic interpolation techniques have been used to obtain a radon map by comparing the suitability of ordinary kriging and inverse-distance-weighted (IDW) interpolation methods. It turned out that there is not much difference in the prediction errors of the two techniques (Root Mean Square Error = 34.4 for ordinary kriging and 34.3 for IDW). It is concluded that both methods give acceptable results. In situ measurements and geostatistical analysis allow assessment of expected indoor radon exposure in a given area at reduced costs and time required. However, for the investigated area, more research is needed to produce reliable radon-risk maps.

Indoor radon exposure and living conditions in patients with advanced lung cancer in Lublin region, Poland.

Radon (Rn-222) is a noble gas formed in the uranium path (U-238) as a decay product of radium (Ra-226). It is estimated to cause between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers, depending on the national average radon level and smoking prevalence. Radon molecules emit alpha radiation, which is characterized by low permeability through tissues, but due to its remarkably high energy, it has a high potential for DNA damage. The aim of our research was to assess the radon concentration inside the houses of patients with advanced lung cancer and to analyze their socio-economics status. The measurements of radon concentration were performed in 102 patients with stage 3B or higher lung cancer in the region of Lublin, Poland. One month of radon exposure measurement was performed with alpha-track detectors. In addition, patients filled in a detailed survey about factors that might influence the concentration of radon inside their houses. The average concentration of radon during the exposure of the detector in the residential premises of the respondents was at the level of 69.0 Bq/m3 [37.0-117.0]. A few significant correlations were discovered, e.g., higher levels of radon in countryside houses or in houses equipped with air conditioning. As radon exposure is a modifiable risk factor for lung cancer, it is extremely important to find factors that may reduce its concentration in dwelling places. Since our research was performed in houses of people with lung cancer, taking corrective actions based on our findings could prevent new lung cancer incidence in patients' flatmates.

Measurement of Radon Concentration in Drink and Well Water Samples for Selected Regions in Baghdad City

The concentration of radon gas in the samples for drinking water and wells in the same place from selected homes in which wells were built in the Hay-al-Bayaa region of Baghdad was measured, by using a CR-39 nuclear track detector. It turns out that the maximum value of the concentration of radon in drinking water was 3.83 Bq/L, and the lowest was 2.30 Bq/L. As for the estimation of radon gas concentration in well water samples, the highest value was 5.6 Bq/L, while the lowest one was 3.1 Bq/L. In order to assess the committed effective dose received by the public due to the inhalation of radon gas. The highest value of the annual effective dose in drinking water was recorded in Al-Bayaa region, which is equal to 14.30 μSv/y, while the minimum was recorded at 8.40 μSv/y. As it turns out, the annual effective dose in well water samples was 20.4 μSv/y, while the lower one was 11.57 μSv/y. All values for the radon concentration and the annual effective dose in the drinking and well water samples were below the World Health Organization's recommended levels. The results showed that drinking water and wells were free of radioactive contamination in the studied area.

The Relationship between Radon and Geology: Sources, Transport and Indoor Accumulation

This review study examines the relationship between radon and geology, including its origins, transmission, and accumulation, as well as its impact on human health and mitigation strategies. The decay of uranium and thorium produces radon, a radioactive gas. Its concentration in the environment fluctuates based on local geology, soil permeability, climate, and terrain, as well as regional, seasonal, and daily meteorological conditions. Exposure to radon indoors is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, making it a significant public health concern. Measuring radon concentrations in indoor environments is essential for identifying high-risk areas and devising effective mitigation strategies, such as ventilation, fissure sealing, and exhaust installation. The need for greater knowledge of regional and seasonal fluctuations in radon concentration, as well as the development of more effective and cost-effective measuring and mitigation strategies, has implications for future research. To influence public health policies and practices, more research on the long-term health effects of radon exposure is required. The focus of public health policy should be on increasing awareness of the dangers associated with radon exposure, supporting regular measurement and monitoring of radon concentrations in indoor areas, and encouraging the adoption of effective mitigation techniques. When selecting construction sites, urban planning regulations and building codes should consider the local geology and radon levels in the soil.

Design of intermittent continuous measurement of radon concentration in water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the maximum contaminant level limit for radon concentration in drinking water as 11.1 Bq L−1. A new device based on the bubbling method with a 290 mL sample bottle was designed for intermittent continuous measurement of water radon concentration. A STM32 is used to control the switch of the water pump and the valves. The Water-Radon-Measurement software written in C# is to connect RAD7 and calculate the water radon concentration automatically.