radon

The effect of small aerosol particles and the effect of air cleaning devices on the behaviour of the decay products of radon have been studied. The long term measurements in a one-family house have shown that the behaviour of the decay produc

Specific indoor air quality issues that have arisen in the UK in recent years have involved asbestos, formaldehyde, pesticide residues, radon and combustion products. Different measures have been taken with regard to each of these substances. In general, an education approach has been adopted, although national standards, industry self-regulation and some regulatory measures have been used. In the UK, control of ill defined, distributed or non stationary indoor air pollutants such as body odour, tobacco smoke and water vapour, is considered to be best achieved by suitable ventilation.

The influence of the various sources of pollution on the home environment in the Netherlands is reviewed, eg, outdoor air, gas-fired appliances, tobacco smoking and building materials. The pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particles and radon are discussed in more detail. Available data show that outdoor standards for air quality are often exceeded indoors. However, conclusions on exposure and health effects cannot be drawn until more data are available from random or stratified samples of houses.

Summarizes the state of knowledge about combustion products, surface condensation and mould, formaldehyde and radon, and the guidance currently offered on their control in the UK. Statutory ventilation requirements are outlined and various measurement techniques described.

This paper examines the frequency distribution of indoor radon concentrations and air exchange rates in conventional and energy-efficient houses, discusses radon source magnitudes, compares the distribution of source magnitudes with information on emanation rates from source materials, and, finally, considers the ways in which variability in source magnitude might affect regulatory efforts to control indoor concentrations of radon and its daughters.

This paper reviews the literature on sources and measurement of natural airborne radionuclides and radiation in buildings. It also briefly reviews control measures and suggests areas for further research. The major emphasis is given to radon 222 and its daughters, since they typically cause thelargest organ dose to the general population, most of which arises from indoor exposures. The indoor radiation field from radionuclides fixed in building materials and soil is also given substantial treatment.

Sixty houses built with widely different construction practices and located in different areas in upstate New York were monitored for airtightness (using fan pressurization) and integrated radon concentrations in indoor air, household water,

A passive integrating radon gas dosemeter has been developed using electrochemically etched tracks in CR-39. The detectors were used in a survey of 2000 homes in the UK. The response of the dosemeters is shown to be linear with respect to exposure. It is shown that snap-on polyethylene lids allow 222Rn to diffuse into the detector cup while excluding radon daughters, dustand 220Rn. Initial results from a trial survey are presented.

A representative sample of over 2,000 UK dwellings was monitored for a year using thermoluminescent and etchable plastic dosemeters to measure gamma ray dose rates and radon concentrations. 

Models have been developed to enable prediction to be made of the dose incurred indoors from gamma radiation and from inhalation of radon decay products.