Final results of the Austrian Radon Project

The Austrian Radon Project started in 1992 and ended in 2001. The Austrian Radon Project had two aims: firstly, finding areas of enhanced indoor radon concentration for future radon mitigations, and, secondly, defining areas with elevated radon risk where radon safe construction is necessary for new houses. The project was based on systematic indoor measurements in randomly selected houses using different types of detectors. Successful intercomparison tests were made in a radon chamber, but simultaneous measurements by different detectors normally used in homes deviated sometimes up to a factor of two. We have to assume that this results from manipulations of the detectors by the inhabitants. The mean radon concentration in Austrian homes was found to be 99 Bq m(-3). A radon potential was derived from the results of the measurements and the information received from questionnaires. This radon potential was defined as an expected radon concentration in a standard situation and characterizes the radon risk from ground sources with all the influences of different living situations eliminated. A mean radon potential was computed for every municipality and the information is displayed as a map. The uncertainty and the reliability of the classification of municipalities according to the radon potential are discussed in more detail and compared with results from Switzerland.     

苏州市室内氡浓度水平及其影响因素研究

目的：了解苏州市室内222Rn浓度及其影响因素.方法：使用固体径迹探测器,调查苏州市8个行政区域160户居民室内222Rn浓度,调查时间为1年,每3个月为一周期,即春、夏、秋、冬四季.探测器回收后,在6.25 mol/L的NaOH溶液中,恒温90℃蚀刻5 h,在显微镜下读数.结果：年平均222Rn浓度为29.9±21.0 Bq·m^-3;不同季节、不同通风时间、不同建筑结构及建筑年代的室内222Rn浓度存在显著差异（P〈0.05）;结论：苏州市居民室内年平均222Rn浓度低于国家标准〈电离辐射防护与辐射源安全基本标准（GB 18871-2002）〉;季节、通风时间、建筑材料是室内222Rn浓度的主要影响因素.     

A survey of 222Rn concentrations in dwellings of the town of Metsovo in north-western Greece

A radon survey has been carried out of indoor radon concentrations in dwellings located in the town of Metsovo, in north-western Greece. To measure indoor radon concentrations, CR-39 detectors were installed in randomly selected houses and were exposed for about 3 mo, during summer and winter. Gamma spectroscopy measurements of the soil's radium content also were performed. The indoor radon concentration levels varied from 17.6 to 750.4 Bq m(-3), while the radium concentration of soil varied from 4.9 to 97.1 Bq m(-3). Seasonal variation of the radon levels and the influence of house features and soil are discussed.     

Contribution of 222Rn in domestic water supplies to 222Rn in indoor air in Colorado homes.

The contribution of 222Rn from domestic water wells to indoor air was investigated in a study of 28 houses near Conifer, CO. Air concentrations determined by alpha-track detectors (ATDs) and continuous radon monitors were compared with the predictions of a single-cell model. In many of the houses, the water supply was shown to contribute significantly to levels of indoor 222Rn. The data from the ATD study were augmented with a continuous monitoring study of a house near Lyons, CO. The well water in that house has the highest known concentration of 222Rn in water yet reported (93 MBq m-3). The temporal pattern in the indoor 222Rn concentration corresponds to water-use records. In general, it is difficult to quantify the proportion of indoor radon attributable to water use. Several lines of evidence suggest that the single-cell model underestimates this proportion. Continuous-monitoring data, although useful, are impractical due to the cost of the equipment. We propose a protocol for 222Rn measurement based on three simultaneous integrating radon detectors that may help estimate the proportion of indoor 222Rn derived from the water supply.     

Seasonal variation in indoor radon concentrations in dwellings in six districts of the Punjab province, Pakistan

An indoor radon measurement survey has been carried out in six districts of the Punjab province. These included Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal and Mandibahauddin districts. In each district, 40 representative houses were chosen and indoor radon levels were measured in these dwellings in autumn, winter, spring and summer seasons using CR-39 based NRPB radon dosimeters. After exposure to radon, the CR-39 detectors were etched in 25% NaOH at 80 degrees C and track densities were related to radon concentration levels. From the observed data, average radon concentration levels and a seasonal correction factor were calculated. The average 222Rn concentration level was found to vary from 40 +/- 15 to 160 +/- 32 Bq m(-3) and 38 +/- 17 to 141 +/- 26 Bq m(-3) in the bedrooms and living rooms of the houses surveyed, respectively. The annual mean effective dose received by the occupants has been calculated using ICRP (1993 Ann. ICRP 23) and UNSCEAR (2000 Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation (New York: United Nations)); it varied from 1.2 to 1.7 mSv and from 1.8 to 2.4 mSv, respectively.     

Indoor radon in the region of Brussels

The indoor radon (222Rn) concentration has been measured by charcoal detectors in 278 buildings in the region of Brussels, Belgium. The correlation with the nature of the subsoil can be studied in detail thanks to the available geotechnical map. With a geometrical mean indoor radon concentration of 19 Bq m(-3), Brussels can be considered as generally unaffected by the radon problem. No value higher than 400 Bq m(-3) (the EU reference level for existing houses) was measured in an occupied room. However, two factors that may enhance the risk are identified: the absence of a basement or a ventilated crawl space, and the presence of loess, under the house. About one third of the houses without basements or ventilated crawl spaces built on loess show an indoor radon concentration above 200 Bq m(-3) (the EU reference level for new houses).     

Dependence of indoor radon concentration on the year of house construction.

The dependence of indoor radon concentration on the year of house construction was studied using the results of two nationwide indoor radon surveys in Japan. The data of radon concentration in the surveys were classified into structure type as well as year of construction to obtain the current radon concentration for each structure type as a function of year of construction. The indoor radon concentration in wooden houses was found to be relatively constant with year of house construction until 1960, and then decreased, whereas the radon concentration in concrete houses increased sharply in houses constructed after 1970. The concentration in concrete houses built before 1975 was almost the same as that in contemporary wooden houses. However, the concentration in concrete houses built at present was about two times higher than that in wooden houses. The time trends found for wooden and concrete houses in the first nationwide indoor radon survey were confirmed by the second nationwide survey. In addition, these same time trends were mostly observed in the data classified into 7 districts in Japan. The increase of indoor radon concentration in concrete houses provides relatively high dose, and this increasing trend seems to continue, judging from the results of two nationwide surveys.     

Residential radon exposure and risk of lung cancer in Missouri.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated residential radon exposure and lung cancer risk, using both standard radon dosimetry and a new radon monitoring technology that, evidence suggests, is a better measure of cumulative radon exposure. METHODS: Missouri women (aged 30 to 84 years) newly diagnosed with primary lung cancer during the period January 1, 1993, to January 31, 1994, were invited to participate in this population-based case-control study. Both indoor air radon detectors and CR-39 alpha-particle detectors (surface monitors) were used. RESULTS: When surface monitors were used, a significant trend in lung cancer odds ratios was observed for 20-year time-weighted-average radon concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: When surface monitors were used, but not when standard radon dosimetry was used, a significant lung cancer risk was found for radon concentrations at and above the action level for mitigation of houses currently used in the United States (148 Bqm-3). The risk was below the action level used in Canada (750 Bqm-3) and many European countries (200-400 Bqm-3).     

A nation-wide survey on indoor radon from 2007 to 2010 in Japan

In two previous nation-wide surveys in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Japanese indoor radon concentrations increased in homes built after the mid 1970s. In order to ascertain whether this trend continued, a nation-wide survey was conducted from 2007 to 2010. In total 3,900 houses were allocated to 47 prefectures by the Neyman allocation method and 3,461 radon measurements were performed (88.7% success). The fraction of reinforced concrete / concrete block buildings was 32.4%, similar to the value from national statistics. Arithmetic mean (standard deviation, SD) and geometric mean (geometric SD) of radon concentration after adjusting for seasonal fluctuation were 14.3 (14.7) and 10.8 (2.1) Bq/m(3). The corresponding population-weighted values were 13.7 (12.3) and 10.4 (2.0) Bq/m(3), respectively. It was estimated that only 0.1% of dwellings exceed 100 Bq/m(3), a new WHO reference level for indoor radon. Radon concentrations were highest in houses constructed in the mid 1980s and decreased thereafter. In conclusion, arithmetic mean indoor radon in the present survey was slightly lower than in previous surveys and significant reductions in indoor radon concentrations in both wooden and concrete houses can be attributed to alterations in Japanese housing styles in recent decades.     

Nationwide survey of radon levels in Korea

A nationwide radon survey was conducted to provide data on the annual average indoor radon concentration in Korean homes. This survey also provided data on the variation of radon concentration with season, house type, and building age. The arithmetic mean (AM) of annual radon concentration in Korean homes was 53.4 +/- 57.5 Bq m(-3). The indoor radon concentration showed a lognormal distribution with a geometric mean (GM) and its standard deviation (GSD) of 43.3 +/- 1.8 Bq m(-3). The radon concentrations in the traditional Korean-style houses were about two times higher than those in apartments and row houses. The average annual outdoor radon concentration was 23.3 Bq m(-3). The average annual effective dose to the general public from radon was 1.63 mSv y(-1).     

Spatial and temporal indoor radon variations.

This paper examines the ability of standard radon measurement protocols to predict long-term radon concentrations in houses located in the upper Midwest. It was observed that: (1) significant radon variations can occur on a spatial scale as small as a single floor; (2) radon measurements that integrate for periods less than 3 mo are reliable only to within a factor of 2 or more; and (3) contemporary, short-term measurements within existing structures may not accurately reflect past radon concentrations. Two-hundred forty-three occupied houses located in 40 towns were monitored for at least 1 y using alpha-track detectors. If lifetime radon exposure estimates need to be determined accurately, then long-term, integrating radon detectors should be placed in several rooms of each house. In radon atmospheres that may not be stable for long periods of time, it is suggested that multiple, year-long measurements or surface alpha activity measurements in combination with year-long alpha-track measurements are needed for an accurate lifetime radon assessment.     

Residential radon and lung cancer risk in a high-exposure area of Gansu Province, China

In the general population, evaluation of lung cancer risk from radon in houses is hampered by low levels of exposure and by dosimetric uncertainties due to residential mobility. To address these limitations, the authors conducted a case-control study in a predominantly rural area of China with low mobility and high radon levels. Included were all lung cancer cases diagnosed between January 1994 and April 1998, aged 30-75 years, and residing in two prefectures. Randomly selected, population-based controls were matched on age, sex, and prefecture. Radon detectors were placed in all houses occupied for 2 or more years during the 5-30 years prior to enrollment. Measurements covered 77% of the possible exposure time. Mean radon concentrations were 230.4 Bq/m(3) for cases (n = 768) and 222.2 Bq/m(3) for controls (n = 1,659). Lung cancer risk increased with increasing radon level (p < 0.001). When a linear model was used, the excess odds ratios at 100 Bq/m(3) were 0.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.05, 0.47) for all subjects and 0.31 (95% confidence interval: 0.10, 0.81) for subjects for whom coverage of the exposure interval was 100%. Adjusting for exposure uncertainties increased estimates by 50%. Results support increased lung cancer risks with indoor radon exposures that may equal or exceed extrapolations based on miner data.     

Indoor 222Rn measurements in Sweden with the solid-state nuclear track detector technique

Measurements of the indoor radon and radon daughter concentrations were performed in several thousand Swedish houses during the years 1979-1984 with the solid state nuclear track detector technique (SSNTD technique). The investigation focused on structures containing building materials of light-weight concrete with enhanced amounts of U. The detectors used nuclear track films exposed for 1 mo. The film basically measures total airborne alpha activity but may be calibrated in units of EER in an environment with known 222Rn and daughter concentrations. (EER is here the equilibrium equivalent concentration of Rn with the equilibrium factor F = 0.5.) The investigation was performed in various municipalities in collaboration with the local public health and environmental authorities. The investigation included 6700 individual measurements in detached (single-family) houses as well as in apartment houses. A small percentage of the dwellings exhibited Rn daughter concentrations (EER) exceeding 400 Bq m-3. It was found in detached houses that the concentrations were higher in the basement floor than in the entrance floor of a house. The Rn daughter values in the bedrooms were similar to values in any other room (mainly on the same floor) of the structure. The Rn daughter levels in apartment houses were lower than in single-family houses. The seasonal variations of the Rn daughter levels are presented and show that the levels in summertime are approximately equal to the levels in the winter.     

Building-specific factors affecting indoor radon concentration variations in different regions in Bulgaria

The study was conducted to assess the spatiality of the building factors’ effect on air quality through evaluation of indoor radon concentration in areas with different geology and geographical position. For that matter, a survey of indoor radon concentration was carried out in 174 kindergartens of three Bulgarian cities. The time-integrated measurements were performed in 777 ground floor rooms using alpha tract detectors, exposed for 3 months in cold period of 2014. The results of indoor radon concentrations vary from 20 to 1117 Bq/m³. The differences in the mean radon concentrations measured in the different cities were related to geology. The effect of building-specific factors: elevator, basement, mechanical ventilation, type of windows, number of floors, building renovation, building materials, type of room, type of heating, construction period, and availability of foundation on radon concentration variations was examined applying univariate and multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis showed that the effects of building-specific factors on radon variation are different in different cities. The influence of building factors on radon concentration variations was more dominant in inland cities in comparison to the city situated on the sea coast. The multivariate analysis, which was applied to evaluate the impact of building factors simultaneously, confirmed this influence too.     

西藏居室内氡浓度调查及所致居民剂量估算

目的 在国内城市室内氡呈上升趋势的背景下,为了获取现阶段西藏地区室内氡浓度水平,开展本次西藏地区室内氡浓度调查工作。方法 采用KF606B型固体核径迹氡累积探测器,对西藏自治区居室氡浓度进行测量,测量周期6～12个月。结果 西藏地区138间居室内氡浓度范围为14～119 Bq·m^-3,均值为（47.8 ±23.0） Bq·m^-3。氡浓度大于100 Bq·m^-3房间有5个,占总调查房间数的4%。居室内氡所致西藏地区居民有效剂量范围为0.46～3.89 mSv·a^-1,均值为1.56 mSv·a^-1。文章还对不同调查地区、城镇/农村、不同建筑类型和不同建筑年代居室内氡浓度进行了比较分析。结论 本次居室内氡浓度调查结果比上世纪八九十年代西藏地区测量结果有显著增高。     

中国部分城市住宅室内空气中重要污染物的调查研究

目的调查中国部分城市住宅室内空气中总挥发性有机化合物、苯、甲苯、二甲苯、甲醛、氨和氡的污染状况。方法在每个城市中随机选择装修完成时间一年之内的住宅作为监测对象,测定室内空气中甲醛、氨、苯系物、总挥发性有机化合物和氡的浓度,在入户监测的同时,进行住宅室内状况调查。调查时间为2002年5月至2004年11月。采样点高度保持在呼吸带,采样时间为30分钟。甲醛、氨、苯系物和总挥发性有机化合物分别采用AHMT分光光度法、纳氏试剂比色法和TenaxTA吸附/二次热解吸/毛细管气相色谱法,氡的测量采用α径迹探测器法。结果甲醛、氨、总挥发性有机化合物的平均浓度分别为(0.16±0.16)、(0.12±0.15)、(2.18±12.94)mg/m3;苯系物(苯、甲苯、二甲苯)的平均浓度分别为(124.04±272.60)、(258.90±672.98)、(189.68±561.16)μg/m3;氡浓度算数平均值和几何平均值分别为(43.8±37.7)和37.4Bqm-3。结论住宅室内装修污染的主要污染物为甲醛、苯系物、TVOC。26个主要城市室内氡浓度的监测结果可基本反应出我国室内氡的水平、超标比率、变化趋势。     

Intercomparison of passive radon-detectors under field conditions in epidemiological studies

The Ardennes and Eifel region is a geologically distinct area covering parts of Germany, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg where enhanced concentrations of radon occur in some houses and other buildings. An international case-control study is being conducted to examine the role of radon in the etiology of lung cancer in this area. The radon detectors used are issued by different laboratories involving a variety of detector types and processes. A series of intercomparisons in houses was therefore conducted under similar conditions of exposure in the field. In most situations the different detectors gave similar results. Nevertheless, in some situations open and closed detectors yielded different results. Therefore, estimates of radon exposure have to be adjusted if results are to be pooled.     

个旧居民肺癌发病率与室内氡关系的探讨

目的 探讨云南个旧地区居民（不包括矿工和冶炼工）肺癌高发的原因。方法 应用固体核径迹探测器（简称SSNTD）方法对土壤、室内氡进行了测定。结果 发现纵贯个旧地区的个旧－小江断裂带提供了丰富的土壤氡的地下来源，在断裂带上测得土壤氡水平为世界土壤氡平均值的8．6倍，断裂带上的室内氡水平是远离断裂带室内氡水平的6．5倍。调查组室内氡平均值比对照组室内氡平均值高出44．5％。分组统计表明，室内氡水平越高，肺癌发病率（除一组例外）相应增高。结论 通过本次调查似乎可以认为肺癌发病率与室内氡水平有呈正相关的趋势。     

室内环境的氡暴露

节能措施的广泛采用,现代建筑的密闭性增高,加剧了氡(Rn)在室内的聚集,Rn及其子体对健康的影响日益引起人们的关注。该文从Rn的性质、来源及住宅内Rn暴露的危险等几个方面介绍了室内Rn对人体健康的影响,并提出了防治室内Rn污染的措施,使公众对室内环境氡暴露问题有较为全面的正确认识。     

Use of simulink to address key factors for radon mitigation in a Fairbanks home

Hilly areas around Fairbanks, Alaska, are known to have elevated soil radon concentrations. Due to geological conditions, cold winters, and the resulting stack effect, houses in these areas are prone to higher indoor radon concentrations. Key variables with respect to radon mitigation were addressed in this paper by using a dynamic model implemented in MATLAB Simulink. These variables included the ventilation rate; the foundation flow resistance, which can be affected by sealing the foundation during the construction of a house; and the differential pressure between the subslab and the house interior, which can be affected by using a subslab depressurization system. The model was used for the scenario of a varying differential pressure and then for the scenario of a varying ventilation rate at a Fairbanks home where real-time radon concentrations were measured. The correlation coefficients between the model-predicted and measured radon concentrations were 0.96 and 0.94, for both scenarios respectively, which verified the feasibility of the model for predicting indoor radon concentrations.