Radon Activity Research Articles

TENORM employed as inert material for house building: a model for evaluating the radon activity enhancement.

Radon exhalation from soil and ores is among the most dangerous risks for the public health care. The impact becomes even more powerful when technological enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) are used for public and private building. Here, webuilt a down-scaled model (a 1.0 m × 1.0 m × 0.5 m parallelepiped) of a dwelling, whose construction materials contain TENORM harvested in a site in Crotone (Italy). We observed an increase of the radon activity in the model when TENORM residues are employed, reaching a value around 120 Bq/m3, i.e. up to three times higher than the typical values of Crotone indoor environment, which ranges around 40 Bq/m3. These results have then been compared to a real use case. The correspondence found between the values of radon activity concentration in the model and in the use case suggests that estimating the radon concentration is a useful method to target TENORM presence inside buildings.

The Metrological Traceability, Performance and Precision of European Radon Calibration Facilities.

An interlaboratory comparison for European radon calibration facilities was conducted to evaluate the establishment of a harmonized quality level for the activity concentration of radon in air and to demonstrate the performance of the facilities when calibrating measurement instruments for radon. Fifteen calibration facilities from 13 different European countries participated. They represented different levels in the metrological hierarchy: national metrology institutes and designated institutes, national authorities for radiation protection and participants from universities. The interlaboratory comparison was conducted by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and took place from 2018 to 2020. Participants were requested to measure radon in atmospheres of their own facilities according to their own procedures and requirements for metrological traceability. A measurement device with suitable properties was used to determine the comparison values. The results of the comparison showed that the radon activity concentrations that were determined by European calibration facilities complying with metrological traceability requirements were consistent with each other and had common mean values. The deviations from these values were normally distributed. The range of variation of the common mean value was a measure of the degree of agreement between the participants. For exposures above 1000 Bq/m3, the variation was about 4% for a level of confidence of approximately 95% . For lower exposure levels, the variation increased to about 6%.

Metrology for radiation protection: a new European network in the foundation phase

Abstract. More than 23 million workers worldwide are occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation and all people in the world are exposed to environmental radiation. The mean exposure, that is the mean annual dose of per person, is dominated by medical applications and exposure to natural sources. Due to recent developments in healthcare, e.g. the increasing application of ionising radiation in medical imaging with relative high doses like CT, and modern high dose applications (for example CT angiography), the exposure due to medical application has risen. Additionally, the changes in living conditions increase the exposure to natural radioactivity also: More living time is spent in buildings or in an urban environment, which causes higher exposure to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in building materials and higher exposure to radon. The level of radon activity concentration in buildings is far higher than in the environment (outdoor). This effect is often amplified by modern energy-efficient buildings which reduce the air exchange and thus increase the radon indoor activity concentration. In summary both medical application of ionizing radiation and natural sources are responsible for the increase of the mean annual exposure of the population. The accurate measurement of radiation dose is key to ensuring safety but there are two challenges to be faced: First, new standards and reference fields are needed due to the rapid developments in medical imaging, radiotherapy and industrial applications. Second, direct communication channels are needed to ensure that information on best practice in measurements reaches effectively and quickly the people concerned. It is therefore necessary to allow for an international exchange of information on identified problems and solutions. Consequently, a European Metrology Network (EMN) for radiation protection under the roof of EURAMET is in the foundation phase. This network EMN for Radiation Protection is being prepared by the project EMPIR 19NET03 supportBSS. The project aims to prepare this EMN by addressing this issue through the identification of stakeholder research needs and by implementing a long-term ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the metrology community. The EMN will serve as a unique point of contact to address all metrological needs related to radiation protection and it will relate to all environmental processes where ionising radiation and radionuclides are involved. A Strategic Research Agenda and two roadmaps are in development, covering the metrology needs of both the Euratom Treaty and the EU Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM pinning down the basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, long-term knowledge sharing, and capacity building will be supported and a proposal for a sustainable joint European metrology infrastructure is under way. This will significantly strengthen the radiation protection metrology and support radiation protection measures. The final goal of the network project is a harmonised, sustainable, coordinated and smartly specialised infrastructure to underpin the current and future needs expressed in the European regulations for radiation protection.

Radon dynamics, activity concentration, and radiological risks associated with groundwater around tremor-prone Federal Capital Territory and environs, north-central Nigeria

Radon dynamics, activity concentration, and radiological risks associated with groundwater around tremor-prone Federal Capital Territory and environs, north-central Nigeria

The problems of assessing radon hazard of development sites in the Russian Federation and the Czech Republic

The problem associated with the risk assessment of radiation caused by the accumulation of radioactive radon gas in closed premises has not been solved to date. Additionally, there is no consensus regarding the set of parameters that should be used for radon hazard assessments of buildings. This paper presents the results of measurements related to radon assessments in the Russian Federation (radon flux density; RFD) and the Czech Republic (volumetric activity of radon in the soil air measured at a depth of 0.8 m and soil gas permeability). In the Russian Federation, RFD was measured in the city of Tomsk on the surface of loess loam using accumulation chambers and carbon adsorbers. In the Czech Republic, the volumetric activity of radon in the soil air and gas permeability were measured by the complexes RM-2 and RADON JOK, respectively, at a testing site located approximately 180 km southwest of Prague and characterised by brown forest and mountain sub-ash soils (cambisols) of the Bohemian Massif.The observed high variability of gas permeability in surface rocks and the radon flux density measured on the ground surface casts doubt on the reliability of assessments of radon hazard risks in the built-up areas. Based on the analysis of the results, other approaches are proposed for conducting radon hazard assessments of built-up areas.

Radon activity concentrations in underground workplaces in Kosovo

Radon activity concentrations in underground workplaces in Kosovo

Seismic process on the Krillon Peninsula (Sakhalin Island) after the earthquake on April 23, 2017

Research subject and methods. The seismicity of the Krilyon Peninsula (Sakhalin Island) after the earthquake on April 23, 2017 (M = 5.0) during the 2018–2021 period was investigated by the method of self-developing processes (SDP).Results. The seismic activity showed a damping trend after the earthquake (and several following aftershocks), with the activation of SDP seismicity observed in two cases. In the study area (40 km within the radius from the epicenter of the Krillon earthquake) and its immediate vicinity (up to 80 km), earthquakes with M = 3.9 and M = 4.3 were observed 74 and 26 days after seismic activations. These earthquakes are considered to be the strongest events occurred in the study area in the period under consideration. The results of the study were compared with the monitoring data of the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Survey Russian Academy of Sciences (KB GS RAS) on the volumetric activity of subsoil radon (OA Rn). It was revealed that the OA Rn anomalies detected in November 2018 and January 2020 had appeared several weeks after the identifed SDP. The anomalies were registered at observation points remote from the study area (as well as from the above-mentioned earthquakes) by no more than 50 km. Earthquakes in 2018 (M = 3.9) and 2020 (M = 4.3) occurred 19 and 32 days after the appearance of OA Rn anomalies. In general, the current situation can be assessed as calm, since, according to the analysis data, the seismic activity has no prerequisites for the transition from the decaying stage to the stage of stabilization. As shown in the work, this is a sign for preparing an earthquake with a magnitude higher than 5. Nevertheless, activation and (as a result) earthquakes of moderate strength (M < 5) are possible on a damping trend. Conclusion. It is proposed to take into account the self-developing processes of activation as a primary sign for a change in the geodynamic state of the environment, under which the appearance of OA Rn anomalies is possible. These anomalies are associated with the forecast of moderate seismicity during foreshock or aftershock activations.

Occurrence of anomalies in soil radon volume activity before tectonic earthquakes

Research subject. Earthquakes are a global problem for the entire world population. Therefore, a search for ways to predict and prevent tectonic events is a highly relevant task. Despite the existence of controversial opinions on the possibility of predicting tectonic earthquakes, research in this direction continues. Among numerous possible precursors of earthquakes, anomalies in the volume radon activity (VRA) are the most physically justifed ones. The aim of this research was to compare the observed anomalies of soil radon with the recorded seismic events in order to fnd common patterns. The research area was the Kuril Islands. VRA monitoring was conducted at the South Kuril Geophysical Station of the Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.Methods and materials. Measurements were carried out in the advective mode: soil air from a depth of 70 cm was forcibly delivered to the detector using a pump. For a retrospective analysis, we took registered seismic events with a magnitude greater than 4 that occurred within a radius of 500 km from the monitoring station in Yuzhno-Kurilsk during 2011–2018. Statistical data were processed using Microsoft Excel, Statistica software. Results. A method for comparing radon anomalies and earthquakes was developed. Using the developed methodology, it was found that the geodynamic criterion of ≥2 (the ratio of earthquake magnitude to logarithm of distance from event epicenter to the monitoring station in km) can be used when comparing VRA anomalies with tectonic earthquakes. Out of the 166 considered tectonic earthquakes meeting the geodynamic criterion of ≥2.148, the events were preceded by VRA anomalies. The position of the earthquakes was determined relative to the extremum of previous anomalous radon values in the time interval. Eac of the considered earthquakes meeting the geodynamic criterion ≥2, which had been preceded by a radon anomaly, occurred either after its extremum or coincided with it in time. Conclusions. The manifestation of tectonic earthquakes in VRA anomalies after passing the extremum can be considered as a short-term prognostic criterion and be used for distinguishing between “near” and “far” events.

Inter-comparison of commercial continuous radon monitors responses

Indoor and outdoor (atmospheric) radon activity concentrations need to be measured as accurate as possible for radiation protection and for climate applications. Particularly radon concentrations below 100 Bq m −3, useful for the retrieval of radon prone areas and for atmospheric studies, still need a robust metrological chain to ensure their quality. Ones of the most common used commercial continuous radon monitors were compared here under slightly different environmental conditions. The measured data set were divided into two groups (< 100 Bq m −3 and ≥ 100 Bq m −3) to assess the monitors responses and their associated uncertainties. Nevertheless, these results should also to point out if commercial monitors are suitable for monitoring low atmospheric radon concentrations with an associated uncertainty of 10% (k=1). This work, carried out within the EMPIR 19ENV01 traceRadon project, aims to offer a starting point for the development of a future radon monitor as transfer standard to increase the metrological capabilities of atmospheric radon monitoring.

Radiological assessment subjected to outdoor radon and thoron concentrations and terrestrial gamma radiation measurements in Perak Malaysia

The concentrations of radon, thoron and terrestrial gamma radiation were measured to evaluate the outdoor effective dose. The outdoor radon activity concentration ranged from 5.79 to 5110 ± 46.36 Bq m−3, with a mean of 320.03 Bq m−3 which is higher than the EPA level of 14.8 Bq m−3. The range of the thoron activity concentration outdoor was from 0.00 to 4226.7 ± 58.5 Bq m−3, with a mean of 226.1 Bq m−3 which was above the UNSCEAR recommended level of 10 Bq m−3. The terrestrial gamma radiation dose rates range was from 98.31 to 3769.71 nGy h−1 with a mean of 446.27 nGy h−1. The effective dose contribution from radon exposures in the study was estimated to be 3.2 ± 0.5 mSv y−1 is about 84% total annual effective dose received by the population in those areas. The estimated thoron and gamma dose contributions (15%, and 1% respectively) were not significant. The outdoor doses for thoron and gamma were lower than the ICRP (2007) value of 1 mSv. The total annual outdoor effective dose with an occupancy factor of 1825 h (5 h day−1) was estimated to be within the range of 0.30–551.41 ± 0.65 mSv, with a mean of 3.75 mSv which is a little higher than the world average of 2.4 mSv.

Patterns in Radon Activity in California Groundwater

Naturally occurring radon-222 (222Rn) is an effective marker of groundwater inflow to streams, lakes, and coastal environments. However, 222Rn activity in groundwater is difficult to predict, and e...

Assessment of physicochemical and radon-attributable radiological parameters of drinking water samples of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand

This study evaluates the quality of drinking water samples (sample size = 52) taken from various locations of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. The parameters include physiochemical properties viz. total dissolved solids (TDS in mg/L), electrical conductivity/salinity (µS/cm), pH and radiological dose attributable to radon in water (µSv/y). TDS values for the tested samples varied within the range of 18–434 mg/L with average value of 148 mg/L. Electrical conductivity and pH for these samples was measured as 36–868 µS/cm (average: 296 µS/cm) and 6.8–8.2 (average: 7.2), respectively. Radon activity concentration for these water samples was measured using scintillation-based radon monitor, immediately after sampling at the location site. Radon activity concentration was measured as 0.6–81.9 Bq/L with an average value of 17.8 Bq/L. The paper also estimates the annual effective ingestion dose (µSv/y), annual effective inhalation dose (µSv/y) and total effective dose (µSv/y) attributable to radon in drinking water samples.

Assessment of radon (222Rn) activity in groundwater and soil-gas in Purulia district, West Bengal, India

Assessment of radon (222Rn) activity in groundwater and soil-gas in Purulia district, West Bengal, India

Radiation and physical parameters of kimberlites and host rocks of the Lomonosov diamond deposit (Russian North-West)

In this paper, experimental studies of rocks were carried out to assess the main radiation and physical factors affecting the formation of the radon field over the kimberlite pipes of the Arkhangelsk diamondiferous province (for example, the Lomonosov diamond deposit). For various types of rocks, the following was studied: porosity, density, radium-226 activity, free radon activity, radon production rate, emanation coefficient. The research results showed that the main factors in the formation of the radon field are porosity and the coefficient of emanation. These parameters directly affect the amount of free radon. In addition, we calculated the radon production by various types of rocks, represented by vent kimberlites, tuffaceous-sedimentary rocks of the crater, enclosing and overlying sediments. Regression analysis showed that the radon production rate in rocks reflects the formation of a radon field under conditions of occurrence of a kimberlite body. The studied radiation and physical parameters showed that the greatest amount of radon in a free state is produced by rocks of the near-pipe space, represented by the enclosing Vendian V2 deposits and characterized by high values of the emanation coefficient, specific activity of radium, the radon production rate, and porosity. At the same time, the formation of free radon in the tube body is limited due to the low values of porosity, emanation coefficient, and the radon production rate.

A Lithosphere–Atmosphere–Ionosphere Coupling Phenomenon Observed Before M 7.7 Jamaica Earthquake

The satellite-based earth observations have become an appropriate instrumental approach in monitoring the natural hazards among modern-day researchers. This study presents a multi-parameter approach using precursors of different physical nature defining the states of atmosphere and the ionosphere in terms of temporal and spatial variations about 5 days before the impending M 7.7 Jamaican earthquake (EQ). We performed a comprehensive analysis from the surface to the ionosphere at different altitude levels by analyzing the different datasets comprising, surface air temperature, relative humidity, total column water vapor, air pressure, Outgoing Longwave Radiations (OLR), and the total electron content of the global ionosphere maps (GIM-TEC). We observed a sharp increment in the atmospheric chemical potential (ACP) due to the increased radon activity that led to an abrupt decrement in the atmospheric relative humidity and, consequently, increased OLR that provides strong evidence of the air ionization production around the epicenter of M 7.7 EQ. Moreover, to check the periodicity of these atmospheric parameters, we performed a confutation analysis by meticulously analyzing these parameters in the same month and region for the previous 5 years during the non-existence of any major seismicity. This technique confirmed that the simultaneous atmospheric variations observed before the Jamaica EQ are not cyclic in the absence of significant seismic activities. The ionospheric conditions have also shown consistency with atmospheric disturbances, as depletions in GIM-TECs, having an amplitude of 4 TECU, are observed over the epicenter for 6 h (LT = 13–19 (-– UT)) on January 23, 2020. Additionally, the vertical ionospheric and atmospheric profiles from FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (F7/C2), at different altitudes (75–225 km) over the EQ epicenter, showed significant depletions on January 23, 2020. These TEC variations are observed to be an effect of the vertical seismogenic electric field due to the production of the air ionization at the atmospheric boundary layer by increased radon activity around the seismic preparation zone. The existence of these co-located synchronized atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies is explicitly and persistently local over a small region of the epicenter of Jamaican EQ that could be considered as potential short-term precursors. Also, these multi-observed anomalies will contribute to the physical explanation of the Lithosphere-Atmosphere–Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) model.

A Comparative Study on Indoor Radon Levels between the Lung Cancer and Cancer Free Groups in Izmir Province, Turkey

Purpose: İzmir is the province of Turkey with the highest lung cancer incidences for males, therefore a comparative study was performed in particular districts of İzmir in 2013. In the study, it was aimed to assess the association between lung cancer risk and indoor radon. &#x0D; Methods: Patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2010 and 2011 were selected from the database of the Izmir Cancer Registry (ICR). Measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed in a total of 117 locations using the SSNTD (Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors) method with LR-115 detectors. Indoor radon concentration measured in homes of patients with lung cancer and cancer free group were compared statistically. &#x0D; Results: The indoor Radon (222Rn) activity concentration detected ranged from 165 to 487 Bq/m3, for the lung cancer group, from 28 to 367 Bq/m3 for the cancer free group, with geometric means of 269 Bq/m3 and 123 Bq/m3, respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the logistic regression model, as radon concentration and package/year increased, the rate of cancer increased multiple folds. These results suggest that indoor radon levels may contribute to higher rates of lung cancer for İzmir compared to the rest of the country, and indoor radon levels may be a contributory factor in this phenomenon.

Radiological Risk Assessment for Karstic Springs Used as Drinking Water in Rural Romania

Seasonal variations of the radon and radium activity concentrations in karstic water sources originating in karstic formations were investigated as part of a premiere systematic survey conducted in Romania. A database including a total of 228 drinking water samples collected from 30 distinct water sources adjacent to rural communities was compiled. The radon and radium activity concentrations for all seasons, assessed based on solid scintillation, ranged from 2.1 to 19.7 Bq/L and from 0.6 to 3.0 Bq/L, respectively. Overall, the detected radon and radium contents did not exceed the radioprotection standards recommended by national and European legislation. However, in at least one season, the measured values for 31% of the samples exceeded the 11.1 Bq/L maximum contaminant level for radon in drinking water recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. The associated radiological risk, reported in terms of annual effective dose, was calculated to be between 9.8 × 10−6 and 6.0 × 10−5 mSv/y for radon and between 5.9 × 10−5 and 2.7 × 10−4 mSv/y for radium, which are considerably below the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines at a value of 0.1 mSv/y.

Water radon risk in Susunia hill area: an assessment in terms of radiation dose.

Radiological impact of radon in air is a global issue whereas radon in water has local consequences. Considering its importance, we have conducted a study on radon activity measurements in 316 tube-well water samples collected from Susunia hill area in Bankura district of West Bengal, India during the period of 25th December 2018-2nd February 2020. Radon contents are measured using AlphaGUARD radon monitor. The obtained radon activities in drinking water samples lie between 1.78 ± 0.07 and 3213.50 ± 77.32 Bq/l with an average of 128.30 ± 14.09 Bq/l. This study reveals that 93% of the samples have radon levels in excess of the USEPA proposed maximum contamination level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq/l while radon levels of 40% samples have exceeded the WHO and EU Council Directive recommended reference level of 100 Bq/l. The total annual effective dose of the samples have been estimated by considering the per day water intake of 3 l. The calculated total annual effective dose widely fluctuates between 10.39 and 18649.55 μSv/year with an average value of 744.59 μSv/year. 269 water samples have exceeded the WHO and EU Council Directive recommended reference level of 100 μSv/year. However, if we consider the UNSCEAR prescribed annual water intake of 60 l, the average dose becomes 279.82 μSv/year. The situation demands attention of the local authorities. Local people are advised to take some easy preventive measures for their radiological protection against such contamination.

РАДИАЦИОННО-ГИГИЕНИЧЕСКИЙ МОНИТОРИНГ НА ПОТЕНЦИАЛЬНО РАДОНООПАСНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ

Modern radioecological studies to assess the effect of natural radiation on the human body have shown that at the moment of development of society, the main contribution to the exposure of the population is made by natural sources of ionizing radiation, while from 50 to 90 % of the dose load are caused by the gas radon-222 (222Rn) and daughter products of its decay.&#x0D; This paper presents the results of radiation-hygienic monitoring of the potentially radon-hazardous territory of the city of Baley, Trans-Baikal Territory. The measurement of the volumetric activity of radon (OARn) was carried out in the premises of residential and public buildings by the integral method using track exposure meters REI-4. According to the indicator of the equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity of radon (EROARn), a radiation-hygienic assessment of the premises and the calculation of potential dose loads on the population living in this territory were carried out.&#x0D; Studies have shown that OARn in residential and public buildings depends on the geological characteristics of the territory, on the design and design of buildings and structures, and on the building materials used. It was found that the main criterion for assessing the potential radon hazard of territories is the value of OARn in rooms on the 1st floors of buildings. According to the degree of potential radon hazard, the territory of the city of Baley can be conditionally divided into 3 types: 1 type – the territory located on a geological fault; Type 2 – the southern part of the city, represented by sedimentary rocks; Type 3 – the northern part of the city, represented by rocks of the basic gabbroid group with a low content of natural radionuclides. The types of buildings and structures and the type of building materials affect the dose load, but do not determine it.

Assessment of indoor radon activity concentration levels in four northern districts of Telangana state, India

Assessment of indoor radon activity concentration levels in four northern districts of Telangana state, India