Measurement of radon exhalation rate in various building materials and soil samples

Abstract

Indoor radon is considered as one of the potential dangerous radioactive elements. Common building materials and soil are the major source of this radon gas in the indoor environment. In the present study, the measurement of radon exhalation rate in the soil and building material samples of Una and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh has been done with solid state alpha track detectors, LR-115 type-II plastic track detectors. The radon exhalation rate for the soil samples varies from 39.1 to 91.2 mBq kg −1 h −1 with a mean value 59.7 mBq kg −1 h −1. Also the radium concentration of the studied area is found and it varies from 30.6 to 51.9 Bq kg −1 with a mean value 41.6 Bq kg −1. The exhalation rate for the building material samples varies from 40.72 (sandstone) to 81.40 mBq kg −1 h −1 (granite) with a mean value of 59.94 mBq kg −1 h −1 .

Measurement of Radium Concentration and Radon Exhalation Rates of Soil Samples Collected from Selected Area of Aden Governorate, Yemen, Using Plastic Track Detectors

“…However, when radon gets trapped indoors, it may build up to dangerous concentrations, [4]. Long term exposures to radon via inhalation in closed rooms or caves or open air saturated with Radon gas is the cause for about 10% of all deaths from lung cancer [5]. The emission of radon per unit area per unit time is called exhalation rate and depends upon: (a) radium concentration in the material which in turn depends on the uranium concentration in the material, (b) emanation factor of radon from the material, (c) porosity and density of the material, and (d) diffusion coefficient of radon in the material [6].…”

Development of a Geogenic Radon Hazard Index—Concept, History, Experiences

“…Indoor Rn concentration is controlled by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Natural factors, defined as geogenic factors, are related to radon generation and transport in the ground (e.g., [16][17][18][19][20][21]), whereas anthropogenic factors relate to construction characteristics of a building, including building materials and usage patterns (e.g., [12,[22][23][24]). Meteorological factors may be considered in relation to both geogenic and anthropogenic systems, insofar as they can influence Rn transport in the ground, migration and accumulation of radon in the indoor environment, and construction style and building occupancy patterns (e.g., [25][26][27][28][29]).…”

Measurement of Radon Concentration in Soil Samples of Mazat and Kafi-Habu Mining Sites, Plateau, Nigeria

“…It is observed that no information about the radioactive gas (radon) associated with the Radium presented in their studies. Also, the results reported can not be relied upon to assess the level of radon exposure in other mining sites as the radiological exposure from tailings depends on many factors including geology, mineral ore types, lithology, and a host of other factors as reported elsewhere (Kobeissi, El Samad et al 2008, Nasirian, Bahari et al 2008, Lu, Li et al 2013, Duggal, Rani et al 2014, Amin 2015, Elzain 2015, Bala, Kumar et al 2017, Abo-Elmagd, Saleh et al 2018). It should be noted that the inhalation aspect has not been addressed in the aforementioned studies.…”