Experimental Measurements of VOC and Radon in Two Romanian Classrooms

Istrate, Marian-Andrei; Cătălina, Tiberiu; Cucoş, Alexandra; Dicu, Tiberius

doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.12.254

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Based on the increasing body of evidence on the relationship between radon levels and chronic diseases, radon concentrations should be routinely monitored where individuals live or work. In particular, as underscored by several studies [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], attention should be focused on schools, where students, teachers, and other personnel spend numerous hours daily. Apart from the long exposure to elevated radon concentrations, several concerns should be raised regarding the potential high vulnerability of some population groups, such as children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools

Azara

Dettori

Castiglia

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Background: The aim of the study was to assess radon concentration in schoolrooms in a city located in the midwest of Italy. Methods: A two-phase environmental study was carried out in 19 school buildings of 16 primary, secondary, and tertiary schools. Results: Median (interquartile range—IQR) indoor radon concentration in schoolrooms was 91.6 (45.0–140.3) Bq/m3. The highest (median 952.8 Bq/m3) radon concentration was found in one (3.6%) classroom, located in a building of a primary school whose median concentration was 185 Bq/m3. Radon concentration was significantly correlated with the number of students and teachers, foundation wall construction material, and with the absence of underground floors. A geopedological survey was performed close to the building with highest radon level, showing the presence of granite and tonalithic granodiorite in the soil. Conclusions: Radon levels should be routinely assessed where individuals live or work. Schools are susceptible targets, because of childhood stay and the long daily stay of occupants. Low-cost interventions, such as implementation of natural air ventilation and school maintenance, can reduce radon levels, limiting individual exposure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools

Azara

Dettori

Castiglia

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…The selection criteria were based on the existing published results regarding indoor radon levels in residential buildings [3,4,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Schools and kindergartens were selected to cover different areas living environments (i.e., in the center and outskirts of the city) as well as all radon areas, namely, high-radon areas from Cluj and Alba counties, and moderate and low radon risk areas from Sibiu, Bacău, and Satu-Mare regions.…”

Section: Radon Surveys In Romanian Schoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Available data from Romanian homes [3,4,[23][24][25][26] and preliminary studies in schools [27,28] suggest that both environments are likely to have radon concentrations higher than 300 Bq/m 3 . Moreover, previously results indicate that between 1200 and 1800 lung cancer cases can be attributed to indoor radon exposure for the Romanian population every year [29], showing clear evidence that appropriate public policies are needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Steps towards a National Approach for Radon Survey in Romanian Schools

et al. 2021

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Schools are a category of public buildings with a high radon exposure risk, due to their high occupancy factor. In Romania, the elaboration of a methodology for radon measurements in schools is a necessity imposed both by the European legislation and by the relatively high percentage (about 10%) of the mapped territory with a potential increased risk of exposure to the action of ionizing radiation emitted by radon. In order to optimize the design of a national survey aimed to evaluate radon exposure of children in Romanian schools, we conducted a pilot study in two schools in Cluj-Napoca, following the screening measurements carried out in 109 schools and kindergartens from five counties. The specific steps that must be followed were described, taking into account the international protocols and particularities of Romanian territory. The proposed approach could act as a guide for other large buildings and is implicit for the implementation of National Radon Action Plan, approved by HG no. 526/12 July 2018 in accordance with Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM. The obtained results indicate that a high probability of annual radon concentration above the national reference level is to be expected in schools.

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“…Ensuring proper ventilation into an indoor space, leads to a significant improvement in the indoor air quality, removing some pollutants from the indoor air [ 27 ]. For instance, during radon concentration measurements on schools, some differences were found between the active and passive measurements, most probably based on the ventilation strategies and the human behavior [ 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania

Mareș

Cătălina

Istrate

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The purpose of this article is the assessment of energy efficiency and indoor air quality for a single-family house located in Cluj-Napoca County, Romania. The studied house is meant to be an energy-efficient building with thermal insulation, low U-value windows, and a high efficiency boiler. Increasing the energy efficiency of the house leads to lower indoor air quality, due to lack of natural ventilation. As the experimental campaign regarding indoor air quality revealed, there is a need to find a balance between energy consumption and the quality of the indoor air. To achieve superior indoor air quality, the proposed mitigation systems (decentralized mechanical ventilation with heat recovery combined with a minimally invasive active sub-slab depressurization) have been installed to reduce the high radon level in the dwelling, achieving an energy reduction loss of up to 86%, compared to the traditional natural ventilation of the house. The sub-slab depressurization system was installed in the room with the highest radon level, while the local ventilation system with heat recovery has been installed in the exterior walls of the house. The results have shown significant improvement in the level of radon decreasing the average concentration from 425 to 70 Bq/m3, respectively the carbon dioxide average of the measurements being around 760 ppm. The thermal comfort improves significantly also, by stabilizing the indoor temperature at 21 °C, without any important fluctuations. The installation of this system has led to higher indoor air quality, with low energy costs and significant energy savings compared to conventional ventilation (by opening windows).

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Experimental Measurements of VOC and Radon in Two Romanian Classrooms

Cited by 18 publications

References 8 publications

Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools

Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools

First Steps towards a National Approach for Radon Survey in Romanian Schools

Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania

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