Short-term Measurements of Radon Concentrations in Selected Residential Buildings
| Autor: | Robert Piec, Barbara Szykuła-Piec, Aneta Łukaszek-Chmielewska, Krzysztof Isajenko, Iwona Słonecka |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | English<br />Polish |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Safety & Fire Technology, Vol 54, Iss 2, Pp 168-172 (2019) |
| Druh dokumentu: | article |
| ISSN: | 2657-8808 2658-0810 |
| DOI: | 10.12845/sft.54.2.2019.13 |
| Popis: | Aim: This article presents the results of radon concentration measurements performed in selected residential buildings using PicoRad carbon detectors. In addition, the need to provide information on the risk of exposure to radon radiation and the possible ways to minimise that risk is also emphasized. Project and methods: Measurements were performed in the rooms which are the most exposed to ionizing radiation from radon: in basements and on ground floors, with PicoRad carbon detectors being used to that end. The detectors were provided to a selected and properly trained group of students who had the task to place them in the studied atmosphere for 48 hours. After the measurements had been taken, the detectors, once hermetically closed and foil-enveloped, had to be sent immediately to the indicated address. Results: The average concentration of radon in the air in Poland is about 10 Bq/m3. The results of the research carried out in residential buildings show that the mean radon concentration value in the studied rooms was 30 Bq/m3. The obtained value, although it was higher than the average concentration, did not exceed the values specified by the applicable radon concentration standards for residential buildings. No significant differences between the basements and the ground floor were noticed. Conclusions: The measurements revealed that the average concentrations of radon in the studied rooms were relatively low, within the limits of 12–85.5 Bq/m3. However, it is worth taking into account the fact that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk of lung cancer development increases proportionally to the increase in exposure to radon. It grows by 16% per a 100 Bq/m3 increase in the average long-term radon concentration. WHO handbook on indoor radon: A public health perspectiveˮ recommends to set the national average concentration level of reference to 100 Bq/m3, but if this level cannot be reached, the reference level should not exceed 300 Bq/m3. The highest radon concentrations obtained through the measurements were only slightly lower than the average reference level recommended by WHO, reaching 85.5 Bq/m3. This indicates that such measurements of radon concentrations should be performed in buildings in Poland. Information on the possibility of performing such measurements, on specific countermeasures, and also on the threats posed by high levels of radon should be given to the public in order to raise the general awareness and minimise risks. This appears particularly important from the point of view of strengthening the community’s resilience. |
| Databáze: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
|