This study describes an approach for measuring and modeling diffusive and advective transport of radon through building materials. Goal of these measurements and model calculations is to improve our understanding concerning the factors influencing the transport of radon through building materials. To reach this goal, a number of experiments has to be conducted. These experiments, including measurements in a large cylinder for creating diffusive and advective transport of radon under controlled, dwelling-like conditions, are described here and the initial results are presented.
Various methods to determine ²²²Rn concentration in soil gas were tested at two sites with different soil types in a depth of 1 m. They include instantaneous (spot), continuous (real time) and timeaveraging procedures with advective ('active' procedures)
There is a currently growing interest in the effect of exposure to 222Rn, because it became recognised as an important “pollutant” factor of the environment. Possible lung cancer incidence due to exposure to environmental radon levels may thus account for
If indoor radon levels are to be significantly reduced across Europe it is essential to ensure that allnew buildings built in areas affected by radon are protected against radon.In the United Kingdom the Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) have been carrying outresearch on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) todevelop protective measures for use in new buildings. This work commenced in the mid-1980sand has resulted in the development of a range of practical cost-effective techniques for providingradon protection in new UK buildings.
In Germany, the radon concentration of 200 Bq/m3 in accordance with the European recommendation (Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften, 1990) is valid as design level for new buildings. Radon from building material can make a significant contribution
The aim of this study is to help dimension the Sol Depressurization System against radon inexisting buildings.First, various remediation techniques implemented on existing buildings are comparedregarding the reduction of indoor radon concentration. The results show that techniques thatdeal with basements have generally the best efficiency and in particular the SoilDepressurization Systems.In situ test equipment has been developed in order to dimension these systems. It has beenused on different basements such as crawl spaces and cellar.
Indoor radon concentrations in high-rise buildings are found to be affected by two majorfactors, namely the ventilation rate and the radon production rate of building materials. In thispaper we present a method to apportion the indoor concentrations to their individual emissionsources. The method consists of two parts: one part is to determine the overall radonproduction rate in a sealed room space, and the other part is to determine the radon productionrate from a particular component. The methods are based upon mass balance models.
The RAGENA model of radon takes into account all the parameters and processes affecting radon levels (in the source, its transport, its entry into a dwelling and its accumulation indoors).The model has been tested in a mediterranean house. The results given by the model are similar to the ones obtained experimentally.
The model estimations aimed at identifying the most important parameters that determine air change rate along with predicting the indoor radon concentration to be expected in new Dutch dwellings under different ventilation conditions.Measurements were compared to the model estimations. To increase infiltration and thus to decrease radon concentation, opening the air inlets and inside doors proved to be efficient.
European radon research and industry collaboration concerted action (ERRICCA2) is establishing a European scientific led industrial forum aimed at reducing risks to health from radiation (principally radon) in the built environment. It brings together 35 organisations from 20 countries.
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