Measurement strategy to study radon source, entry and dilution rates in energy-efficient buildings in Russia

Abstract

Abstract. Main physical quantities, which control indoor radon in modern energy-efficient buildings of Russia was studied basing on the results of radon survey in Ekaterinburg, Russia. It was approved that measures to increase energy efficiency lead to reduction in the ventilation rate and high accumulation of radon concentrations indoors. Long-term measurements with application of proposed mathematical methods give an improved understanding of the radon entry processes. Combined use of integrative and time series (differential) measurements provides effective way to develop standard protocol for radon measurements in energy-efficient multi-storey buildings.

Development of a “222Rn incremented method” for the rapid determination of air exchange rate using soil gas

“…Depending upon the type of indoor workplace and dwellings, the AER values varied in a wide range of 0.36–4.8 h −1 . The values reported by previous investigators for indoor workplaces, dwellings, and caves by the 222 Rn time-series method vary in the range of 0.1–2.0 h −1 ( Bobby, 1991 , 1993 ; Hobbs, 1999 ; Antonio et al, 2008 ; Perrier et al, 2004 ; Yarmoshenko et al, 2014 , 2021 ; Vasilyev et al, 2015 , 2016 ).

Fig.

…”

“…The validation of the incremented method was achieved through the comparison of the AER results with those obtained from the 222 Rn time-series method. As enumerated in sections 2.5 and 3.1 , the 222 Rn time-series method is considered to be a proven method ( Yarmoshenko et al, 2014 , 2021 ; Vasilyev and Zhukovsky, 2013 ; 2015 , 2016 ). Fig.…”

“…The inverse of the decay constant can be interpreted as AER by performing the exponential decay fit for the detrended 222 Rn data with respect to time. The use of the 222 Rn time-series technique for evaluating AER was applied by several investigators previously ( Bobby, 1991 , 1993 ; Hobbs, 1999 ; Antonio et al, 2008 ; Perrier et al, 2004 ; Michael et al, 2018 ; Yarmoshenko et al, 2015 , 2016 , 2021 ) and is one of the proven methods.…”