Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive gas formed as a result of the radioactive decay of radium (226Ra). Radon is identified as one of the dominant sources of population exposure that could lead to lung cancer, accounting for between 3% and 14% of all lung cancers. Rocks in the Earth’s crust are a primary source of radon in the atmosphere. In this context, the geogenic radon potential (GRP) of a terrain refers to the probability of high radon concentrations being present in a building. The radon index is a concept used to characterize the geogenic potential of the terrain, providing the likelihood of radon concentration in a building, which is directly related to the influence of the Earth's surface. One approach to quantifying the radon index is based on multivariate cross-tabulation, involving two parameters: radon concentration in soil gas and the gas permeability of the earth layer, both measured at 80 cm below the surface. In Bulgaria, focused investigations on the connection between radon gas and geology, resp. on GRP have begun in the last five. As a result of the accumulated experience from field studies conducted so far related to the characterization of GRP, two important aspects have been identified that impact field measurements and the determination of radon gas in the soil, thus the methodology for calculating the radon index. The first aspect is connected with the theoretical and model-based investigations about possible state of soil saturation. The second aspect is about the GRP and fault systems in Sofia. This article makes an attempt to summarize all the studies concerning these two aspects and to suggest some further steps in the geogenic radon potential studies.
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