The influence of different types of granite on indoor radon concentrations of dwellings in the South African West Coast Peninsula

Roux, Rikus le; Bezuidenhout, J; Smit, Hennie

doi:10.1080/16878507.2019.1680043

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A frequency and quantile-quantile analysis (Figure SM1 in Supporting Information S1) showed that our data do not follow a normal distribution. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test with Lilliefors corrections of the radon concentration (p-value < 0.05) and the log-transformed data (p-value = 0.06) confirmed that our data were well-defined by a log-normal distribution, which is very common in indoor radon studies and in other geochemical data (Cinelli et al, 2015;Le Roux et al, 2019). When analyzing the data distribution, we found that 23 detectors (ca.…”

Section: Monthly Variations Of Radon Concentrationsupporting

confidence: 82%

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

et al. 2023

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La Cueva del Viento is a volcanic lava tube located in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). Its touristic section, 180 m long, receives more than 28,200 visitants each year. According to the European and Spanish legislation, a radon monitoring program is required to minimize the radon exposition of workers, tourists, and cavers. In this work, we studied the radon concentration dynamics in the touristic section of the cave for ca. 1 year, using both passive and active radon detectors. Pluviometry and external air temperature played an important role in the seasonal and daily variations of indoor radon concentrations. Daily fluctuations during the dry season were analyzed using time series (Box‐Jenkins methodology) and frequency analysis (Fourier and Wavelet transforms) methods. The experimental radon time‐series was well‐fitted using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model: Seasonal Auto‐Regressive Integrated Moving Average (2,0,1) (2,1,0) 24 , and its value, in a short‐time window (ca. 1 week) was conveniently forecasted. Finally, this work revealed that the annual effective doses received, during the observation period (1 year), by the touristic guides and visitors was ca. 2 mSv/yr and 4 μSv/hr, respectively. We concluded that the touristic exploitation of La Cueva del Viento is safe for both tourists and guides. However, based on our results, La Cueva del Viento had to be classified as a “Monitoring zone” and a regular monitoring program should be implemented.

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Section: Monthly Variations Of Radon Concentrationsupporting

confidence: 82%

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

et al. 2023

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“…As predicted, based on the estimation that coal in the Mpumalanga region consists of 25.27% ash, the measured uranium concentration of the fine ash is approximately four times that of the original coal. According to geological data (http://georoc.mpch-mainz.gwdg.de/georoc/entry.html), the average uranium concentration of granite in South Africa is 7.1 mg kg −1 , which was found to cause elevated radon levels indoors (le Roux et al 2019). The coal found in this region thus has a high radiation content, which could lead to radioactive fallout when pulverized and combusted, leading to elevated radon levels in homes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Anthropogenic Impact on Indoor Radon Concentrations for Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

et al. 2021

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Secunda is a town built amid the coalfields of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Surrounding the town are 11 coal-fired plants (CFPs) contributing around 59% of the country’s energy needs. It is also home to Sasol Synfuels, which produces synthetic gas through coal gasification and natural gas reforming. Coal, like most materials found in nature, contains trace elements of the naturally occurring primordial radionuclides 40K, 238U, 232Th, and their decay products. The milling and combustion of coal in a CFP increases the mass concentration of these trace elements, and the residuals end up on ash heaps as fly ash, bottom ash, and boiler slag. A small percentage of fly ash also ends up in the atmosphere. This paper sets out to determine the anthropogenic impact of the industrial activity on indoor radon in the town of Secunda in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. Measurements were done in 37 homes during July when higher indoor radon levels are expected due to homes typically being closed due to the low temperatures. The average indoor radon concentration was found to be 76.4 Bq m−3. This indicates that the fallout from the industrial activity surrounding Secunda does not enhance the emanation of radon. This may be due to the type of activity or the climate and prevailing winds mitigating its indoor build-up. Measurements during the warmer months and in neighboring towns with different industrial activities are required to confirm the trends established by this research.

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“…A volume of 100 cm 3 was used, and the masses of the samples varied between 0.078 kg and 0.147 kg. As laboratory standards for the efficiency and energy calibrations, three IAEA-approved reference materials containing 40 K, 238 U, and 232 Th nuclides were utilized. The laboratory analyses were conducted according to the procedure recommended by Bezuidenhout [27].…”

Section: Sample Measurements Analyses and Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gamma-ray spectroscopy was performed, and since 238 U and 232 Th primarily emit alpha particles in their initial decay processes, this process had to consider the daughter nuclides from the decay. Also included in the study was 40 K, due to its abundance in nature, even though it does not contribute towards the accumulation of radon through its decay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Radon and Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in the Vredefort Meteorite Crater in South Africa

Le Roux,

Bezuidenhout

2023

Atmosphere

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The concentric impact rings of the Vredefort Crater contain rocks with elevated uranium concentrations resulting from the geological signature of a meteoric impact. The decay of this uranium was estimated to lead to elevated indoor radon concentrations in the Crater, but such a study has never been carried out. This study explores the relationship between the natural radionuclides i-0found in the geology of the Vredefort Crater and indoor radon concentrations. This was achieved through soil sampling and radionuclide surveys conducted on three impact rings, supplemented by indoor radon measurements in dwellings found in the area. In situ measurements revealed that one impact ring had higher-than-average uranium concentrations at 50 Bq/kg. Surprisingly, the measured indoor radon levels were lower than expected (113 Bq/m3). These measurements were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and colder months, conditions that would typically result in elevated indoor radon levels. Soil samples indicated uranium activity of 30 Bq/kg, comparable to the world average of 35 Bq/kg. However, defunct mine tunnels in the area exhibited elevated radon concentrations, averaging 364 Bq/m3. The disparity between expected and measured indoor radon levels was attributed to the composition of surficial deposits, bedrock, and architectural features of the dwellings preventing radon accumulation.

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The influence of different types of granite on indoor radon concentrations of dwellings in the South African West Coast Peninsula

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

The Anthropogenic Impact on Indoor Radon Concentrations for Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Assessment of Radon and Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in the Vredefort Meteorite Crater in South Africa

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