Radon Concentration In Samples Research Articles

Using the gamma spectrometry method to determine the concentration of radon in samples of mineral radon water

The results of a study on the choice of the optimal measurement geometry, measuring capacity and method of sealing the measuring capacity for determining the concentration of radon-222 in samples of mineral radon water are presented. Studies of radon water samples were carried out in laboratory conditions on a stationary gamma spectrometer based on a semiconductor Ge(Li) detector. The concentration measurements in the samples were carried out in accordance with MVI. MN 3421-2010 “Methodology for measuring the volumetric and concentration of gamma-emitting radionuclides on gamma spectrometers with semiconductor detectors” for standard plastic vessels “Denta, 0.1 l” and “Marinelli, 1 l”, and glass containers with a volume of 0.5 l with lids for twisting and seaming. The results of the research showed that the leakage of radon from a glass container with a metal lid for sealing is minimal. This method of sampling and sealing the measuring vessel makes it possible to increase the accuracy of the presented measurement results by reducing the corrections for sample preparation when calculating the expanded measurement uncertainty. A glass container with a volume of 0.5 l with a metal cap for seaming was used to measure the concentration of radon in samples of mineral radon water taken from wells and a drinking fountain of the Radon sanatorium of Belagrozdravnitsa JSC (Dyatlovo District, Grodno Region). The concentration range was 760–2100 Bq/kg. The selected measuring container, the method of its sealing and the measurement geometry can be used for future measurements of the radon concentration in samples of mineral radon water taken in the sanatoriums of the Republic of Belarus.

The study of determining the levels of radon gas concentrations (soil, water and plants) in the areas exposed to military operations in Suq Al-Shuyoukh district, south of Thi-Qar province, Iraq

In this study, the radon concentration of Al-Khamisiyah (A) stores and the adjacent residential areas (Al-Twirat area (B), and the Al-Khamisiyah (C) residential area) located in the southwest of Dhi Qar governorate were measured by five samples for each area for the study models (soil, water, Plants) by using the alpha particle counting technique emitted from radon in the nuclear trace detector (CR-39). The study included three parts, the first part is to measure the radon concentration in samples from the soil and with depths of 60 cm, 15cm, 2cm)) for areas (A, B, C) where the highest concentration was at 2cm depth and the lowest concentration was at the depth 60cm and for all study areas, the highest concentration was in Region A, for all depths, and the lowest concentration in region B. The second part included determining the concentrations of radon gas in the waters of passing rivers in regions (A, B, C), where the highest concentration was in area A and the lowest concentration in region B. As for the third part, it included determining radon concentrations in some types of plants that grow in those regions (A, B, C) such as reeds, sedge and brains, where the highest concentration was in the reed plant and the lowest concentration in the clematis plant and for all areas of study. Finally, we would like to point out that the current study is considered one of the important and vital studies because it is related to the health and safety of humans.

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Radon Concentrations in Environmental Water from Okinawa Island, Southwestern Part of Japan.

In this study, to get a better understanding in characterizing groundwater and ensure its effective management, the radon concentrations in water samples were measured through Ryukyu limestone in southern Okinawa Island, Japan. Water samples were collected from a limestone cave (Gyokusendo cave, dropping water) and two springs (Ukinju and Komesu, spring water), and the radon concentrations were measured by liquid scintillation counters. The radon concentrations in the samples from the Gyokusendo cave, and Ukinju and Komesu springs were 10 ± 1.3 Bq L−1, 3.2 ± 1.0 Bq L−1, and 3.1 ± 1.1 Bq L−1, respectively. The radon concentrations showed a gradually increasing trend from summer to autumn and decreased during winter. The variation of radon concentrations in the dripping water sample from the Gyokusendo cave showed a lagged response to precipitation changes by approximately 2–3 months. The estimated radon concentrations in the dripping water sample were calculated with the measured radon concentrations from the dripping water obtained during the study period. Based on our results, groundwater in the Gyokusendo cave system was estimated to percolate through the Ryukyu limestone in 7–10 days, and the residence time of groundwater in the soil above Gyokusendo cave was estimated to be approximately 50–80 days. This work makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of groundwater processes in limestone aquifers, which is essential for ensuring groundwater sustainability.

Comparative analysis of radon concentrations in buildings of different energy efficiency classes on example of five Russian cities

A comparative analysis of the radon concentrations in modern multi-storey residential buildings of high energy efficiency class and buildings typical for urban areas of the twentieth century was carried out. The study was conducted in Russian cities located in various climatic zones – Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Salekhard, Chelyabinsk. The radon concentration in samples of buildings was measured using integrated radon radiometers based on nuclear track detectors according to a single method. The surveyed sample included 498 apartments in multi-apartment buildings. Among all the examined building types, the highest average radon concentration is observed in modern energy-efficient houses – 43 Bq/m3. In other types of buildings, the following average radon concentrations were obtained: brick 2–5 floors – 35 Bq/m3; panel 5 floors – 32 Bq/m3; panel 7–12 floors 1970-1990 years of construction – 22 Bq/m3; brick> 5 floors 1970–1980 years of construction – 20 Bq m3; panel, built since 1990 – 24 Bq/m3. The results of the study confirm the assumption that radon concentration in modern multi-storey energy-efficient houses is on average higher than in typical residential buildings of the Soviet period. The increased accumulation of radon in energy-efficient buildings is associated with a decrease in the building envelope permeability and the contribution of fresh air to the general air exchange. Despite the fact that there were no cases of exceeding hygienic standards for the indoor radon concentration in the framework of this study, the higher radon concentration in buildings of increased energy efficiency requires attention from the point of view of implementing the principle of optimization of radiation protection. In the future, extensive construction of energy-efficient buildings may increase the average and collective doses to the urban population in the Russian Federation.

Health Assessment Based On the Exposure of Alpha Radioactivity in Narghile Smoking

Introduction: Smokers and non-smokers are at the risk of developing lung cancer when exposed to alpha rays as a result of the relatively low levels of radium and radon that may be present in different tobacco species. There is a great interest in studies and research on the radionuclides in narghile tobacco emitting alpha particles to know the relationship between smoking narghile and cancer, especially lung cancer. Material and Methods: This study was conducted to measure the alpha rays in 30 different narghile samples in the markets of Iraq. Radon concentrations were determined using time-tested passive radio doses containing CR-39 solid-state pathway detectors. Results: The radon concentrations in samples varied from27.44±4.4 Bq/m3 to 214.61±18.1 Bq/m3 with the mean value of 65.60±41.04 Bq/m3. The annual effective dose varies from 0.69±0.09 mSv/y to 5.41±2.20 mSv/y with the mean value of 1.64±1.03 mSv/y. The lung cancer risk cases per year vary from 12.46±2.11 to 97.45±7.34 with the mean value of 29.77±18.63 per million people. The effective radium content ranged between 0.054Bq/kg and 0.425Bq/kg with the mean value of 0.131 of Bq/kg, while the radon emission values for the mass and surface units ranged from 0.410 to 3.212 with the mean of 0.996 mBq/kg.h and 9.040 to 70.703 with the mean value of 21.943mBq/m2.h, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that alpha rays are within the internationally accepted limits and presently do not pose a threat to human health and life in terms of the radiation activity of the investigated narghile tobacco species in this study.

Neutron activation and track analysis of the newly found bones of the southern mammoths and dinosaurs

The bones of southern mammoths and dinosaur had been discovered in the territory of Uzbekistan in 2005–2014. The main aim of the work was a study of profiles of radiogenic and some of elements in bones of mammoths and dinosaur, and the element comparisons with standard bones and its soils by instrumental neutron activation and track analysis. In bones of the mammoths and dinosaur were registered a high contents of uranium and rare earth elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The radon concentrations in samples were measured in isolated plastic chambers by solid state nuclear track detectors type of CR-39 within 35 days. The values of radon exhalation rates were determined very more in ancient bones than in standard bones and soils.

Radon levels in different types of bottled drinking water and carbonated drinks in Iraqi markets

In the present work, radon concentration was measured for different types of bottled drinking water and carbonated drink samples that are available in Iraqi markets. Radon measurements were carried out using a RAD-7 electronic radon detector. Annual effective dose was also calculated. The measured radon concentration in samples of bottled drinking water ranged from 0.0354 to 0.248 Bq/l with a mean value of 0.11265 Bq/l and the measured radon concentration in the samples of the carbonated drinks lay between 0.0354 and 0.283 Bq/l with a mean value of 0.1418 Bq/l. The mean values of the effective dose in all samples of bottled drinking water and carbonated drinks were found to be 0.410844 and 1.022 μSv/y respectively. The results of this work revealed that the radon concentrations were lower than the recommended limits indicated by the World Health Organization and by the regulatory bodies of the European Union.

Measurement of Radon Exhalation Rate in Some Building Materials Using Nuclear Track Detectors

In this paper, forty samples of building materials collected from local market in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The radon concentration in these samples were measured using solid state nuclear track detector. Solid state nuclear track detectors have become an important tool in every investigation of the radon levels in the surrounding environment. The obtained results have shown that the highest average of radon concentration in granite samples and the average value is 845.43 Bqm-3, while the lowest average value is white cement 68.42 Bqm-3. The present work is important to detect any harmful radiation in our houses that affect human and to establish a data base for building materials which, used in a local market. The obtained results show that the radon concentrations of the most samples are below the allowed limit of ICRP.

Estimation of uranium and radon concentration in some drinking water samples of Upper Siwaliks, India

Uranium and radon concentration was assessed in water samples taken from hand pumps, natural sources and wells collected from some areas of Upper Siwaliks, Northern India. Fission track registration technique was used to estimate the uranium content of water samples. The uranium concentration in water samples was found to vary from 1.08 +/- 0.03 to 19.68 +/- 0.12 microg l(-1). These values were compared with safe limit values recommended for drinking water. Most of the water samples were found to have uranium concentration below the safe limit of 15 microg l(-1) (WHO, World Health Organization, Guidelines for drinking-water quality (3rd ed.). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2004). The radon estimation in these water samples was made using alpha-scintillometry to study its correlation with uranium. The radon concentration in these samples was found to vary from 0.87 +/- 0.29 to 32.10 +/- 1.79 Bq l(-1). The recorded values of radon concentration were within the recommended safe limit of 4 to 40 Bq l(-1) (UNSCEAR, United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations, Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. New York: United Nations, 1993). No direct correlation was found between uranium concentration and radon concentration in water samples belonging to Upper Siwaliks. The values of uranium and radon concentration in water were compared with that from the adjoining areas of Punjab state, India.

Estimation of uranium and radon concentration in some drinking water samples

The concentration of uranium and radon has been assessed in drinking water samples collected from different areas belonging to the upper Siwaliks of Kala Amb, Nahan and Morni Hills of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh states, India. The water samples are taken from hand pumps, natural sources and wells. Fission track registration technique has been used to estimate the uranium content of water samples. The uranium concentration in water samples varies from ( 1.08 ± 0.03 ) to ( 19.68 ± 0.12 ) μ g L - 1 . These values are compared with safe limit values recommended for drinking water. Most of the water samples are found to have uranium concentration below the safe limit of 15 μ g L - 1 [WHO (World Health Organization), 2004. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. third ed.]. The radon estimation in these samples has been made using α -scintillometry to study its correlation with uranium. The radon concentration in these samples is found to vary from ( 0.87 ± 0.29 ) to ( 32.10 ± 1.79 ) Bq L - 1 . The recorded values of radon concentration are within the recommended safe limit of 4– 40 Bq L - 1 [UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations), 1993. Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations, New York]. No direct correlation is found between uranium concentration and radon concentration in water samples belonging to upper Siwaliks. The values of uranium and radon concentration in water are compared with that from the adjoining areas of Punjab.

Absorption of Radon through the Skin and Its Exhalation through the Lungs

There are numerous reports in the medical literature that the local application of ointments containing radon have therapeutic effects on deep-lying structures, such as joints, muscles, and blood vessels (1, 2, 3, 4). On the other hand, there is the well established physical fact that the alpha rays from radon and from its short-lived decay products, radium A and radium C1, have a range, or penetration, of not more than 30 to 50 microns in tissue. Because one of us (5) had observed lasting and deeply penetrating effects on the vascular structures of an area treated with ointments containing radon, it appeared interesting to follow the fate of the radon (a chemically inert gas) originally contained in the ointment, to determine to what extent it enters the tissues. If it could be shown that radon does enter the tissues, deep effects of radon ointment therapy would be understandable. Once present in the blood stream, this absorbed radon should be transported to the lungs, and a portion of it should then be exhaled in the expired air. Measurements of the radon concentration in samples of expired air, together with knowledge of the expiration rate, permit a direct evaluation of the minimum quantity of radon absorbed from ointment, and hence available for the alpha radiation of tissues at a distance of more than 50 microns from the site of application.4 The breath sampling and radon measurements were made by standard technics (6). The experiments were carried out on normal intact skin, as well as on the surface of large post-phlebitic leg ulcers, which, however, were very poorly vascularized as demonstrated by repeated fluorescein tests (7). The ointment in every instance contained 44.4 microcuries of radon per c.c. (49 microcuries per gm.) of lanolin. The thickness of the application varied between 2 and 3 mm. The areas were immediately covered with oil silk or a watchglass and then sealed with several layers of adhesive. In the first group of experiments, samples of the exhaled air were taken after 20 minutes, 2⅔ hours, and 4½ hours. At each sampling time a specimen of the room air was taken and analyzed for its content of radon. In the first experiment, on three patients, possible inhalation of radon from the ointment during the procedure of application was largely inhibited by having the windows of the large ward wide open and creating a draft away from the patient's mouth toward the foot end of the bed. Table I indicates that approximately 2.4 per cent of the radon applied was exhaled within the first 4½ hours when the ointment was applied to the leg ulcer, while the amounts absorbed under the same circumstances from normal skin and exhaled were only 0.13 per cent and 0.08 per cent for the same period. In the second experiment further precautions were taken to prevent inhalation of radon during the application of the dressings. During this period the patient breathed oxygen from a B.M.R. machine.