French population exposure to radon, terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays

Abstract

In France, natural sources account for most of the population exposure to ionising radiation. This exposure varies widely with area. Radon and gamma-ray exposure data come from national measurement campaigns; cosmic doses were calculated from city altitude. These data were corrected for season of measurement, housing characteristics and population density to study their relationship with health indicators. The crude average of indoor radon concentrations was 89 Bq m(-3), and the average corrected for season and housing characteristics was 83 Bq m(-3) (range over districts: 19-297). Weighting by district population density yielded a national average of 63 Bq m(-3). Gamma-ray dose rates averaged 55 nSv h(-1) (23-96) indoors and 46 nSv h(-1) (25-85) outdoors; corrections did not change the means. Corrected cosmic annual doses averaged 0.28 mSv (0.27-0.38). These corrections estimated the radiation exposure of the French population more accurately and represented its distribution well, thereby allowing its study as a cofactor in ecological studies.

A statistical evaluation of the influence of housing characteristics and geogenic radon potential on indoor radon concentrations in France

“…The main objectives were to identify radonprone areas in France, estimate the percentage of dwellings above high radon levels (for example 100 and 400 Bq/m 3 ), and investigate for the factors affecting radon concentrations (Billon et al, 2005;Gambard et al, 2000). RC was measured in dwellings (mainly houses) using LR 115 track-etch detectors (Andru, 1998), placed in the main room (living room or kitchen, generally on the ground floor) and exposed for at least 2 months (and for less than one year), in winter or early spring.…”

“…The first (Verger et al, 1994) consisted in a statistical analysis of the building characteristics potentially affecting RC and was based on 1548 indoor radon results for 15 départements (French administrative areas). The second study (Billon et al, 2005) enabled the estimates of the French population's exposure to natural radiation to be updated.…”

Estimation and mapping of uranium content of geological units in France

“…Natural radioactive sources account for most of the population exposure to ionizing radiation (Billon et al, 2005;Rapport IRSN/ 2015-00001). Over the past few years, several studies have been carried out by the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) to evaluate the variability of natural radioactivity over the French territory.…”

Gamma radiation doses to people living in Western Sweden

“…Many studies have addressed the indoor radiation environment in dwellings (e.g., Billon et al, 2005;Miah, 2004;Mjönes, 1986;Saito et al, 1997;Sivakumar et al, 2002;Sundal and Strand, 2004). However, few studies have measured personal exposure to radiation (e.g., Erkin et al, 1994;Erlandsson and Isaksson, 2006;Wøhni et al, 1994).…”