Identification of high radon dwellings, risk of exposure, and geogenic potential in the mining area of the “TREPČA” complex

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate radon levels in dwellings in the mining area near the town of Kosovska Mitrovica. The Passive radon technique based on the charcoal canister test kit conducted in summer and autumn 2019 showed unexpected results. The reference level of 300 Bq/m3 for indoor radon concentration was exceeded in 15 of 26 dwellings. Preliminary measurements of gamma dose rate in some dwellings built from local stone showed values from 0.30 to 0.45 μSv/h, while 75% of measurements in dwellings with stone foundations had radon above the reference level. The highest radon concentration (22 500 ± 220 Bq/m3) was measured in the cellar of one family house. The RAD7 device (Durridge Company, Inc.) was used to measure radon concentrations in water and nearby soil of some dwellings. Indoor radon concentration fluctuated significantly over two days; over a one‐day time scale, radon varied from 2843 ± 217 Bq/m3 at midnight to 1449 ± 104 Bq/m3 in the morning at one site, and abruptly decreased from a maximum of 2146 ± 262 Bq/m3 in one day to a minimum of 21 Bq/m3 the next day at another site. The influence of geological substrate on radon exposure was discussed through the estimation of geogenic radon potential, which varies from low the high radon index despite to high permeability of soil.

High Indoor Radon Case Study: Influence of Meteorological Parameters and Indication of Radon Prone Area

“…In addition, high indoor radon in this house may be affected by the proximity of a deep fault zone that allows the radon transport through cracks of permeable soil, as well as the higher porosity of sand and gravel of the river bank that allows increased radon diffusion. All of the results confirmed that this is a radon prone area (RPA), as reported by a recent study [64].…”

Lung cancer as adverse health effect by indoor radon exposure in China from 2000 to 2020: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Limited studies have directly provided RR as the effect size the lung cancer by indoor radon exposures. Meanwhile, there are well-designed radon studies with large-scale exposure data, [61][62][63][64][65] new predicting model, 66 geometric tools, and survey protocol development in other regions. 67,68 Current results from the reviewed literature were mainly focusing on populations from urban areas especially those from regions other than China.…”

Indoor radon mitigation strategies: The Alto Minho region (Northern Portugal) practical case

“…These detectors are typically left in the environment for several months to accumulate sufficient data for analysis.• Charcoal canisters are another type of passive detector that can be used to measure radon concentration. 38 These detectors consist of a small container filled with activated charcoal that absorbs radon and its decay products. The canisters are left in the environment for a certain period, after which they are sent to a laboratory for analysis.• Electret ion chambers are another type of passive detector that can be used to measure radon concentration.…”

“…• Charcoal canisters are another type of passive detector that can be used to measure radon concentration. 38 These detectors consist of a small container filled with activated charcoal that absorbs radon and its decay products. The canisters are left in the environment for a certain period, after which they are sent to a laboratory for analysis.…”