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Sun C, Wang Y, Zhang L, Wang H, Guo Q, Xiao D, Liang J, Wang S. FIELD MEASUREMENT OF THE UNATTACHED FRACTION AND ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION RATIO OF RADON PROGENY IN TYPICAL DWELLINGS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2021; 197:125-134. [PMID: 34850219 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The unattached fraction (fp) and activity concentration ratio of radon progeny (${\boldsymbol C}_{{}{}^{\bf 218}\bf{Po}}:{\boldsymbol C}_{{}{}^{\bf 214}\bf{Pb}}:{\boldsymbol C}_{{}{}^{\bf 214}\bf{Bi}}$) are important for radon exposure dose evaluation. For getting these characteristic parameters in dwellings, a series of field measurement was carried out. For comparison, a semi-continuous measurement was carried out in an office room and outdoors. Results show that the average fp is 4.5% ± 2.2% and 3.8% ± 1.7% in city dwellings and in rural dwellings, respectively. The average activity concentration ratios are 1:0.94:0.70 for radon progeny and 1:0.07:0.06 for unattached radon progeny in city dwellings, while those in rural dwellings are 1:0.88:0.66 and 1:0.09:0.07. The average values of fp are 5.1% ± 0.9% and 5.4% ± 3.1% in the office room and in outdoors without significant difference. The average activity concentration ratios are 1:0.88:0.77 for radon progeny and 1:0.11:0.11 for unattached radon progeny in outdoors.
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Vasilyev A, Yarmoshenko I, Onishchenko A, Hoffmann M, Malinovsky G, Marenny A, Karl L. RADON MEASUREMENTS IN BIG BUILDINGS: PILOT STUDY IN RUSSIA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 191:214-218. [PMID: 33130857 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Detailed analysis of indoor radon concentration distribution by floors was conducted in four children institutions, one office building and two residential houses in Russian cities to develop approaches to draw up a program of radon survey for big buildings. Higher variability of radon concentration was found in high geogenic radon potential (GRP) area when the soil is the main source of radon. No essential dependence of radon concentration on the floor in high-rise buildings was found in low GRP area. The number of required radon measurements is estimated using obtained characteristics of radon variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vasilyev
- Institute of Industrial Ecology UB RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - I Yarmoshenko
- Institute of Industrial Ecology UB RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - A Onishchenko
- Institute of Industrial Ecology UB RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - M Hoffmann
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, SUPSI, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - G Malinovsky
- Institute of Industrial Ecology UB RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - A Marenny
- Research and Technical Center of Radiation-Chemical Safety and Hygiene FMBA, Moscow, Russia
| | - L Karl
- Research and Technical Center of Radiation-Chemical Safety and Hygiene FMBA, Moscow, Russia
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Gulan L, Zunić ZS, Milić G, Ishikawa T, Omori Y, Vučković B, Nikezić D, Krstić D, Bossew P. First step of indoor thoron mapping of Kosovo and Metohija. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 162:157-162. [PMID: 25080438 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncu250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The survey of natural radioactivity in Kosovo and Metohija involves 180 indoor (220)Rn measurements. They were performed either in living rooms or in bedrooms of 127 individual, rural type houses, using a passive method with application of CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors. Detectors were deployed at a distance of >10 cm from the walls. Values of all 180 measurements for 127 houses give an arithmetic mean (AM) of 132 Bq m(-3). The data for indoor thoron mapping arranged within 10 km × 10 km grid cells give an AM of 118 Bq m(-3) over AM grid cells. The distribution over individual data and the grid cells can be described as normal. About 19 % of the area of Kosovo and Metohija was covered by mapping. This study includes statistical analysis and discussion of factors, such as geogenic and seasonal, which possibly affect thoron concentration, as well as comparison with simultaneous radon measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ljiljana Gulan
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Pristina, Lole Ribara 29, Kosovska Mitrovica 38200, Serbia
| | - Zora S Zunić
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences 'Vinca', University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Gordana Milić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Pristina, Lole Ribara 29, Kosovska Mitrovica 38200, Serbia
| | - Tetsuo Ishikawa
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Hikariga-oka 1, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Omori
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Hikariga-oka 1, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Biljana Vučković
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Pristina, Lole Ribara 29, Kosovska Mitrovica 38200, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Nikezić
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovica 12, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Dragana Krstić
- Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovica 12, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Peter Bossew
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (German Federal Office for Radiation Protection), Köpenicker Allee 120-130, Berlin D-10318, Germany
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Tan Y, Xiao D, Shan J, Zhou Q, Qu J. Analysis of the saturation phenomena of the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po in water vapor. HEALTH PHYSICS 2014; 107:255-260. [PMID: 25068963 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Generally, 88% of the freshly generated 218Po ions decayed from 222Rn are positively charged. These positive ions become neutralized by recombination with negative ions, and the main source of the negative ions is the OH- ions formed by radiolysis of water vapor. However, the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po versus the square root of the concentration of H2O will be a constant when the concentration of H2O is sufficiently high. Since the electron affinity of the hydroxyl radical formed by water vapor is high, the authors propose that the hydroxyl radical can grab an electron to become OH-. Because the average period of collision with other positively charged ions and the average life of the OH- are much longer than those of the electron, the average concentration of negative ions will grow when the water vapor concentration increases. The authors obtained a model to describe the growth of OH- ions. From this model, it was found that the maximum value of the OH- ion concentration is limited by the square root of the radon concentration. If the radon concentration is invariant, the OH- ion concentration should be approximately a constant when the water vapor concentration is higher than a certain value. The phenomenon that the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po versus the square root of the water vapor concentration will be saturated when the water vapor concentration is sufficiently high can be explained by this mechanism. This mechanism can be used also to explain the phenomenon that the detection efficiency of a radon monitor based on the electrostatic collection method seems to be constant when the water vapor concentration is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanliang Tan
- *Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, China, 421008; †University of South China, Hengyang, China, 421001
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Tan Y, Xiao D, Shan J, Zhou Q, Yuan H, Feng B. A theoretical approach to the study of saturation phenomena of electrostatic collection efficiency of 218Po. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Larsson LS. Risk-reduction strategies to expand radon care planning with vulnerable groups. Public Health Nurs 2014; 31:526-36. [PMID: 24547763 DOI: 10.1111/phn.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Residential radon is the cause of approximately 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths each year. Dangerous levels of radon are just as likely to be found in low-rise apartments and townhomes as single-family homes in the same area. The preferred radon mitigation strategy can be expensive and requires structural modifications to the home. The public health nurse (PHN) needs a collection of low-cost alternatives when working with low-income families or families who rent their homes. METHOD A review of the literature was performed to identify evidence-based methods to reduce radon risk with vulnerable populations. RESULTS Fourteen recommendations for radon risk reduction were categorized into four strategies. Nine additional activities for raising awareness and increasing testing were also included. DISCUSSION The results pair the PHN with practical interventions and the underlying rationale to develop radon careplans with vulnerable families across housing types. The PHN has both the competence and the access to help families reduce their exposure to this potent carcinogen.
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Tan Y, Xiao D, Liu X, Tang Q. Measuring radon exhalation rate by tracing the radon concentration of ventilation-type accumulation chamber. RADIAT MEAS 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tan Y, Xiao D. Measuring radon exhalation rate in two cycles avoiding the effects of back-diffusion and chamber leakage. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:8759-8765. [PMID: 23612770 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3210-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper will present a simple method for measuring the radon exhalation rate from the medium surface in two cycles and also avoiding the effects of back-diffusion and chamber leakage. The method is based on a combination of the "accumulation chamber" technique and a radon monitor. The radon monitor performs the measurement of the radon concentration inside the accumulation chamber, and then the radon exhalation rate can be obtained by simple calculation. For reducing the systematic error and the statistical uncertainty, too short of total measurement time is not appropriate, and the first cycle time should be about 70 % of the total measurement. The radon exhalation rate from the medium surface obtained through this method is in good agreement with the reference value. This simple method can be applied to develop and improve the instruments for measuring radon exhalation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanliang Tan
- Department of Physics and Electronics, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang, China, 421008.
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Inoue K, Hosoda M, Tokonami S, Ishikawa T, Fukushi M. Investigation of radon and thoron concentrations in a landmark skyscraper in Tokyo. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2661-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Janik M, Tokonami S, Kranrod C, Sorimachi A, Ishikawa T, Hosoda M, Mclaughlin J, Chang BU, Kim YJ. Comparative analysis of radon, thoron and thoron progeny concentration measurements. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2013; 54:597-610. [PMID: 23297318 PMCID: PMC3709658 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrs129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study examined correlations between radon, thoron and thoron progeny concentrations based on surveys conducted in several different countries. For this purpose, passive detectors developed or modified by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) were used. Radon and thoron concentrations were measured using passive discriminative radon-thoron detectors. Thoron progeny measurements were conducted using the NIRS-modified detector, originally developed by Zhuo and Iida. Weak correlations were found between radon and thoron as well as between thoron and thoron progeny. The statistical evaluation showed that attention should be paid to the thoron equilibrium factor for calculation of thoron progeny concentrations based on thoron measurements. In addition, this evaluation indicated that radon, thoron and thoron progeny were independent parameters, so it would be difficult to estimate the concentration of one from those of the others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslaw Janik
- Regulatory Science Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Department of Radiation Physics, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Chutima Kranrod
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Atsuyuki Sorimachi
- Department of Radiation Physics, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ishikawa
- Regulatory Science Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | | | - Byung-Uck Chang
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, 19 Guseong-dong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jae Kim
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, 19 Guseong-dong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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Janik M, Łoskiewicz J, Tokonami S, Kozak K, Mazur J, Ishikawa T. Determination of the minimum measurement time for estimating long-term mean radon concentration. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 152:168-173. [PMID: 22923240 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Radon measurements, as do any measurements, include errors in their readings. The relative values of such errors depend principally on the measurement methods used, the radon concentration to be measured and the duration of the measurements. Typical exposure times for radon surveys using passive detectors [nuclear track detectors, activated charcoal, electrostatic (E-perm), etc.)] may extend from a few days to months, whereas, in the case of screening methods utilising active radon monitors (AlphaGUARD, RAD7, EQF, etc.), the measurements may be completed quickly within a few hours to a few days. Thus, the latter may have relatively large error values, which affect the measurement accuracy significantly compared with the former measurements made over long time periods. The method presented in this paper examines the uncertainty of a short-term radon measurement as an estimate of the long-term mean and suggests a minimum measurement time to achieve a given margin of uncertainty of that estimate.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Janik
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
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Vaupotic J, Kávási N. Preliminary study of thoron and radon levels in various indoor environments in Slovenia. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2010; 141:383-385. [PMID: 20846971 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncq251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Using the Raduet discriminative radon-thoron solid-state nuclear track detectors, a limited number of measurements were recently carried out about 1 m away from any wall and 1.5 m above the floor in different environments in Slovenia. The following thoron and radon ranges were obtained, respectively (Bq m(-3)): 33-700 and 25-4900 in 2 dwellings, 11-215 and 22-422 in 5 kindergartens, 21-368 and 40-4609 in 35 elementary schools, 47-1361 and 92-3280 in 4 hospitals, 4-37 and 10-153 in 9 spas and 800-880 and 4060-6870 in 1 karst cave (2 places). In case of thoron and radon concentrations lognormal distribution was confirmed, while the statistical relationship between them was weak.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vaupotic
- JoŽef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Somlai J, Hakl J, Kávási N, Szeiler G, Szabó P, Kovács T. Annual average radon concentration in the show caves of Hungary. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0841-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Mui KW, Wong LT, Hui PS. An approach to assessing the probability of unsatisfactory radon in air-conditioned offices of Hong Kong. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2008; 99:248-59. [PMID: 17850935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2007] [Revised: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 07/25/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In order to maintain an acceptable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), policies, strategies and guidelines have been developed worldwide and exposure concentrations of the indoor radon have been specified. Mapping indoor radon levels for a region could be done with intensive measurements on a large number of samples. To obtain the most accurate estimate of the levels with the uncertainties specified, a statistical model has been developed in this study to predict the fractions of samples in a region having an average radon level above the action levels of 150Bqm(-3) and 200Bqm(-3). The model was based on a transformation of the variation from a small sample set of data to a population geometric distribution via an estimator, known as the 'sample correction factor'. Using a dataset from a cross-sectional measurement of indoor radon levels in 216 Hong Kong offices, where the mean was 37.2Bqm(-3) and the 68% range was from 17.3Bqm(-3) to 80.3Bqm(-3), the 'sample correction factor' was evaluated and tested by the Monte-Carlo simulations. The model estimates of the fractions above the indoor radon action levels 150Bqm(-3) and 200Bqm(-3) (1.2-7.7% and 0.4-4.1% for a sample size of 20, 2.8-5.1% and 0.8-2.4% for a sample size of 60) were demonstrated to be consistent with those determined from the dataset (3.5% and 1.4%). With the 'sample correction factor' thus quantified, it will be possible to provide the required data for the policymakers making appropriate decisions on resources and manpower management.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Mui
- Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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Kávási N, Kovács T, Németh C, Szabó T, Gorjánácz Z, Várhegyi A, Hakl J, Somlai J. Difficulties in radon measurements at workplaces. RADIAT MEAS 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2005.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Oikawa S, Kanno N, Sanada T, Abukawa J, Higuchi H. A survey of indoor workplace radon concentration in Japan. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2006; 87:239-45. [PMID: 16460847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2005.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2004] [Revised: 12/05/2005] [Accepted: 12/12/2005] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Radon ((222)Rn) concentration was measured at indoor workplaces in Japan to estimate effective dose to the public from (222)Rn and its progeny. Measurements were made from 2000 to 2003 at 705 sites in four categories of office, factory, school and hospital. Passive type Rn monitors equipped with two sheets of polycarbonate thin films for measuring radon concentrations were installed at observation sites and replaced every 3 months to observe seasonal variations in (222)Rn concentrations. The range of annual mean (222)Rn concentrations for all sites was 1.4-182 Bq m(-3), with the arithmetic mean and standard deviation were 20.8 and 19.5 Bq m(-3). Annual mean (222)Rn concentration observed at office, factory, school and hospital were 22.6, 10.1, 28.4 and 19.8 Bq m(-3), respectively. Seasonal variations in (222)Rn concentrations at offices, schools and hospitals were similar to those found in dwellings, and variations in factories were similar to those found in outdoor environments. (222)Rn concentration observed in every quarter period was found to decrease as follows: school>office>hospital>factory. The average effective dose to the public due to (222)Rn was estimated to be 0.41 mSv y(-1) weighted by the working population. Considering the (222)Rn exposure in indoor workplaces, effective dose to the general public is estimated to be in the range from approximately 0.42 to 0.52 mSv y(-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Oikawa
- Japan Chemical Analysis Center, Division of Radioactivity Analysis, 295-3, Sanno-cho, Inage, Chiba 263-0002 Japan.
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Németh C, Tokonami S, Ishikawa T, Takahashi H, Zhuo W, Shimo M. Measurements of radon, thoron and their progeny in a dwelling in Gifu prefecture, Japan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ics.2004.11.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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