Indoor radon correlated with soil and subsoil radon potential—a case study

Abstract

ABSTRACT/High indoor radon concentrations in a uraniumradium low-level area in the Eifel region, Germany, near the village of DOttingen are caused by ascending radon migration following the convection of groundwater and soil gas along pathways (fractures and faults) in the bedrock sediments of Lower Devonian age. Positive radon anomalies in the soil gas are found to coincide with the locations of houses showing the highest concentrations. These houses are older buildings without concrete foundation slabs. Normally radon concentrations in soil gas are highly correlated with the values of emanated radon calculated on the basis of radium content in the surrounding soils and rocks (diffusive radon potential). However, close to zones of tectonic fractures and faults around the maar-type volcano of D6ttingen abnormally high radon concentrations, which were transported by circulating groundwater and postvolcanic exhalation of CO 2 (convective radon potential) were detected.

Comparison of radon concentrations in soil gas and indoor environment of Afyonkarahisar Province

“…The present results show the similar accordance in all regions. Therefore, as expected from the previous studies (Akerblom and Mellander 1997;Barnet 2012;Chen and Ford 2017;Keller et al 1992;Minda et al 2009;Neznal et al 2006;Vaupotic et al 2002), there is also a linear correlation (since a correlation coefficient of R 2 = 0.97 obtained) between the soil gas and indoor radon concentrations of Afyonkarahisar Province which is shown in Fig. 4.…”

“…Therefore, the major part of indoor radon comes from the soil and building materials since the uranium and radium are uniformly distributed in these materials from the time of origination of earth. There are various studies have showing that positive radon anomalies in the soil gas are found to coincide with the locations of houses showing the highest concentrations (Akerblom and Mellander 1997;Barnet 2012;Chen and Ford 2017;Keller et al 1992;Minda et al 2009;Neznal et al 2006;Vaupotic et al 2002). Moreover, soil gas radon levels and soil permeability are important factors in determining the radon potential of an area, because high permeability enables the increased migration of radon from soil into houses.…”

Survey of Radon Concentrations in Air at Dong Pao Rare Earth Mine, Lai Chau, Vietnam

“…Radon and Thoron are inert gases; they do not form any chemical compounds. Compared to Thoron-220 and Radon-119, the radioactive danger of Radon-222 gas is very high because the half-life by radioactive decay is 3.825 days, while the half-life of Thoron is 55 seconds and that of Radon-119 is 4 seconds [1,2]. Radon gas can enter the human body through the respiratory tract, especially Radon decays alpha, so its danger is great.…”

Characteristics of Indoor and Soil Gas Radon, and Discussion on High Radon Potential in Urumqi, Xinjiang, NW China

“…It has been found that houses with high radon concentrations are mostly located in areas with high radon geological potential. The indoor radon concentration in a region is related to factors such as near-surface lithology, soil permeability, and geological structures [6][7][8][9][10].…”