Radon and thoron inhalation doses in dwellings with earthen architecture: Comparison of measurement methods

Meisenberg, Oliver; Mishra, Rosaline; Joshi, Manish; Gierl, Stefanie; Rout, R.P.; Guo, Lu; Agarwal, Tarun K.; Kanse, Sandeep; Irlinger, Josef; Sapra, B.K.; Tschiersch, J.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.170

Cited by 41 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Rn. Whereas radon 222 Rn with a half-life of 3.83 days is relatively homogeneously distributed in cave air (also in our apparatus), the much shorter lived thoron 220 Rn with a half-life of only 55.6 s [22] cannot travel far from its parent nuclei residing in minerals [19], thus thoron's highest concentrations in cave air are near cave walls and the floor. The higher α-decay energy of 220 Rn (6.3 MeV) relative to 222 Rn (5.49 MeV) prompted us to design experiments for separate examinations of the ability of both radon isotopes to trigger the oxidation of CH 4 .…”

Section: Apparatus At Iu For Active Time-resolved Measurements Of Gamentioning

confidence: 57%

Radiolysis via radioactivity is not responsible for rapid methane oxidation in subterranean air

Schimmelmann¹,

Cortes²,

Cuezva³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Atmospheric methane is rapidly lost when it enters humid subterranean critical and vadose zones (e.g., air in soils and caves). Because methane is a source of carbon and energy, it can be consumed by methanotrophic methane-oxidizing bacteria. As an additional subterranean sink, it has been hypothesized that methane is oxidized by natural radioactivity-induced radiolysis that produces energetic ions and radicals, which then trigger abiotic oxidation and consumption of methane within a few hours. Using controlled laboratory experiments, we tested whether radiolysis could rapidly oxidize methane in sealed air with different relative humidities while being exposed to elevated levels of radiation (more than 535 kBq m-3) from radon isotopes 222Rn and 220Rn (i.e., thoron). We found no evidence that radiolysis contributed to methane oxidation. In contrast, we observed the rapid loss of methane when moist soil was added to the same apparatus in the absence of elevated radon abundance. Together, our findings are consistent with the view that methane oxidizing bacteria are responsible for the widespread observations of methane depletion in subterranean environments. Further studies are needed on the ability of microbes to consume trace amounts of methane in poorly ventilated caves, even though the trophic and energetic benefits become marginal at very low partial pressures of methane.

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Section: Apparatus At Iu For Active Time-resolved Measurements Of Gamentioning

confidence: 57%

Radiolysis via radioactivity is not responsible for rapid methane oxidation in subterranean air

Schimmelmann¹,

Cortes²,

Cuezva³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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“…However, UNSCEAR (1993) mentions a safety level for 220 Rn in air of only ~10 Bq m -3 , which is far below Rong Cave's mean 220 Rn concentration of 70 to 550 Bq m -3 one meter above the clay-rich floor, close to where people breathe (Figure 2). 220 Rn concentrations in the air closer to clay surfaces are routinely far higher because the parental isotopes of 220 Rn reside in minerals and 220 Rn's short half life of ~55.6 seconds limits transport in nonturbulent air (Meisenberg et al, 2017). The ventilation rates of caves have limited influence on near-surface concentrations of 220 Rn.…”

Section: Discussion Of Human Exposure To Radon Radiation In Rong Cavementioning

confidence: 99%

Human exposure to radon radiation geohazard in Rong Cave, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Vietnam

et al. 2018

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Rong Cave is one of the more important caves in northern Vietnam’s Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark (part of the Global Geoparks Network), because its subterranean lake provides agricultural and domestic water for neighboring communities. Maintenance and utilization of Rong Cave’s water reservoir, as well as touristic cave use, require frequent human access to Rong Cave. Depending on the availability of seasonal drip water and the water level of the lake, the abundant clay-rich sediment in the back portion of Rong Cave and possible seepage of gas from deeper strata along geologic faults provide seasonally elevated concentrations of radon in cave air. Based on repeated measurements over 10 months in 2015 and 2016 of the concentrations of radon isotopes (222Rn and 220Rn, also called thoron) with a portable SARAD® RTM 2200 instrument (SARAD® GmbH, Germany), the human total annual inhalation dose was estimated according to the UNSCEAR (2000) algorithm. The result indicates that the radon-related radiation exposure is insignificant for short-term visitors but may reach ~1.8 mSv a-1 for tour guides and ~25 mSv a-1 for cave utility workers. The latter values exceed the IAEA-recommended safety threshold of 1 mSv a-1 (IAEA, 1996). We recommend radiation monitoring for cave utility workers and tour guides. Prolonged human presence in Rong Cave should be avoided during periods of seasonally elevated radon concentrations.References Cigna A.A., 2005. Radon in caves. Interna-tional Journal of Speleology 34(1-2), 1-18. Ha Giang Statistics Office (GSO), 2016. Statistical Yearbook of Ha Giang 2015, 404 pages, Ha Giang (in Vietnamese). Dumitru O.A., Onac B.P., Fornós J.J., Cosma C., Ginés A., Ginés J., Merino A., 2015. Radon survey in caves from Mallorca Island, Spain. Science of The Total Environment, 526, 196-203. Etiope G., Martinelli G., 2002. Migration of carrier and trace gases in the geosphere: An overview. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 129(3-4), 185-204. Global Geoparks Network (GGN), 2010. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. http://www.globalgeopark.org/aboutggn/list/vietnam/6509.htm Gregorič A., Vaupotič J., Šebela S., 2013. The role of cave ventilation in governing cave air temperature and radon levels (Postojna Cave, Slovenia). International Journal of Climatology 34, 1488-1500. Gunn J., 2003. Radon in caves. In Gunn J (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science. Fitzroy Dearborn (Taylor & Francis Books, Inc.), London, UK, 617-619. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 1996. Quality assurance for safety in nuclear power plants and other nuclear installations. Safety standards and guides, In: Safety series Q1-Q14. A publication within the Nuss programme. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), 2003. Database of Dose Coefficients: Workers and Members of the Public, Version 2.0.1 (CD- ROM), Elsevier Science, Amsterdam. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), 2010. Lung cancer risk from radon and progeny and Statement of radon. ICPR Pub. 115. Ann. ICPR 40(1). Markkanen M., Arvela H., 1992. Radon emanation from soils. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 45(1-4), 269-272. Meisenberg O., Mishra R., Joshi M., Gierl S., Rout R., Guo L., Agaarwwal T., Kanse S., Irlinger J., Sapra B.K., Tschiersch J., 2017. Radon and thoron inhalation doses in dwellings with earthen architecture: Comparison of measurement methods. Science of The Total Environment, 579, 1855-1862. Morawska L., Phillips C.R., 1993. Depend-ence of the radon emanation coefficient on radium distribution and internal structure of the material, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 57(8), 1783-1797. Nguyen Thuy Duong, Nguyen Van Huong, Arndt Schimmelmann, Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet, Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Ta Hoa Phuong, 2016. Radon concentrations in karst caves in Dong Van karst plat-eau. VNU Journal of Science - Earth and Environmental Sciences, 32(2S), 187-197 (in Vietnamese). Nguyen Thuy Duong, Arndt Schimmelmann, Nguyen Van Huong, Agnieszka Drobniak, Jay T. Lennon, Ta Hoa Phuong, Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet, 2017. Subterranean microbial oxidation of atmospheric methane in cavernous tropical karst. Chemical Ge-ology, 466, 229-238. Nguyen Van Huong, Nguyen Thuy Duong, Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet, Pham Nu Quynh Nhi, Dang Thi Phuong Thao, Tran Van Phong, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, 2016. Cenozoic tectonics in Dong Van karst plateau recorded in karst cave system. VNU Journal of Science - Earth and Environmental Sciences, 32(2S), 45-58 (in Vietnamese). Nguyen Anh Nguyet, Nguyen Thuy Dương, Arndt Schimmelmann, Nguyen Van Hu-ong, Ta Hoa Phuong, Dang Phuong Thao, Ma Ngoc Giang, 2016. Radon concentration in Rong cave in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Proceeding of International Symposium Hanoi Geoengineering 2016, 248-253. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 1993. Report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes. United Nations sales publication E.94.IX.2. United Nations, New York. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 2000. UNSCEAR 2000 Report. In: Sources, vol. I. United Nations, New York. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 2008. UNSCEAR 2000 Report. In: Sources, vol. I. United Nations, New York. Vietnamese Standards (TCVN 7889:2008), 2008. Natural Radon activity in buildings-Levels and general requirements of measuring methods, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Construction (Viet Nam) (in Vietnamese). Tong-Dzuy Thanh, Vu Khuc (Eds), 2011. Stratigraphic units of Vietnam. Vietnam National University Publisher, 553p. Walia V., Lin S.J., Fu C.C., Yang T.F., Hong W.L., Wen K.L., Chen C.H., 2010. Soil-gas monitoring: A tool for fault delineation studies along Hsinhua Fault (Tainan), Southern Taiwan. Applied Geochemistry, 25(4), 602-607. Wang J., Meisenberg O., Chen Y., Karg E., Tschiersch J., 2011. Mitigation of radon and thoron decay products by filtration. Science of The Total Environment, 409(19), 3613-3619. World Health Organization (WHO), 2000. Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, (2nd edition). WHO Regional Publications, European Series, 91, Chapter 8.3 - Radon.

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“…Similar calculation procedure for thoron progeny can be referred to BI et al 123) The study on comparison of skin dose and inhalation is recently studied by SAKODA et al 69) The calculated dose conversion factors for radon and thoron progeny are practically used to assess the annual dose contributions for dwellings with earthen architecture in Germany. 124) For example in one house, it is shown the annual dose of 1 to 2 mSv from radon progeny in the upper oor and 3 to 6 mSv in the ground oor and additional 1 to 2 mSv from thoron progeny with slightly smaller values in the adjacent rooms without thoron-exhaling building material. In another house about 1 to 5 mSv from radon progeny and 1 to 2 mSv from thoron progeny were calculated for the living room under usual living conditions and 12 and 9 mSv, respectively, for the guestroom under the condition of low ventilation.…”

Section: (4) Dose Conversion Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Internal Dosimetry

2018

Hoken Butsuri

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Protection (ICRP) established a committee on permission internal exposure. Natural and man-made radionuclides can enter human body, cause damage effect and lead to health risk; on the other hand, radionuclides can cure cancers and other noncancer diseases by irradiating the malignant cells and tissues. The radiation doses delivered to the tissues and organs are dose assessment of internally deposited radionuclides is reviewed. After brief introduction of interactions and effects of radiation, the biokinetic models developed by ICRP for incorporation of radionuclides in humans are described. Then, the dosimetric formula generalized by ICRP and Committee on Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) is presented. Treatment of decay products and uncertainty analysis in internal dosimetry are especially addressed. Moreover, applications of internal dosimetry in radiation protection, internal exposure monitoring, radon inhalation dosimetry and nuclear medicine are presented with several calculation examples. At last, the future perspective of internal dosimetry is discussed. In an appendix basic internal dosimetric quantities are provided.

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Radon and thoron inhalation doses in dwellings with earthen architecture: Comparison of measurement methods

Cited by 41 publications

References 35 publications

Radiolysis via radioactivity is not responsible for rapid methane oxidation in subterranean air

Radiolysis via radioactivity is not responsible for rapid methane oxidation in subterranean air

Human exposure to radon radiation geohazard in Rong Cave, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Vietnam

Internal Dosimetry

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