To the issue of the estimation of radon concentrations for radon protection measures

Authors

  • N.V. Aksionov State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU" Author
  • T.O. Pavlenko State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU" Author
  • M.A. Fryziuk State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU" Author
  • O. German The Swedish Agency for Radiation Protection, Stockholm, Sweden Author
  • O.V. Fedorenko State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU" Author
  • O.V. Mykhailenko State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU" Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32402/dovkil2017.04.022

Keywords:

indoor radon, soil air, NORM

Abstract

Objective: We assessed the indoor radon concentrations of residential buildings, radon concentrations in soil air, and natural radionuclides’ (NORM) concentration in soil for the selection of radon protection measures. Materials and methods: The measurements of the indoor equivalent equilibratory concentration of 222Rn (EERC) in indoor air of residential buildings, 222Rn concentration in soil air, and the concentration of natural radionuclides (NR) in soil near the selected buildings were included in the studies. Measurements of indoor radon-222 EERC were carried out with the help of passive track radonometry method with nitrate-cellulose film LR-115 as a detector. Calculation of the tracks was carried out with the help of spark counter. Measurements of radon-222 concentrations in soil air were carried out by the express method with the help of portable radon monitor Alpha GUARD under field conditions. To determine the NORM (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) concentration in soil, we applied the gamma-spectrometry method. Results: The studies were performed in the village of Bakumovka, Rokytne region, Kyiv oblast. The EERCs in the indoor air of residential buildings were established to be exceeded the hygienic standards of 100 Bq•m-3 in 71 % of cases. The range of indoor EERC made up from 14 Bq•m-3 to 521 Bq•m-3, the arithmetic mean was 159 Bq•m-3, the geometric mean was 134 Bq•m-3 at a standard deviation of 93 Bq•m-3. Radon concentration values in soil air were 13-32 kBq•m-3. 226Ra concentrations accounted for 10-34 Bq•kg-1 at soil surface and 22-37 Bq•kg-1 at depth. Thus, the soil at the location of the buildings belongs to the area with a low radon risk (< 50 kBq•m 3) and low concentration of 226Ra (< 50 Bq•kg-1). So, the high levels of 222Rn in residential buildings are due to their design features. For the reduction of the population’s exposure in this region, the radon protection measures, directed on the correction of buildings’ design features, may be recommended.

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References

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Published

2017-10-15

Issue

Vol. 84 No. 4 (2017): No. 4 (84)

Section

CHORNOBYL PROBLEMS

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How to Cite

To the issue of the estimation of radon concentrations for radon protection measures. (2017). Environment & Health, 84(4), 22-26. https://doi.org/10.32402/dovkil2017.04.022

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