Preliminary studies of the effects of sealants on radon emanation from concrete.

Reports study of emanation of radon from concrete blocks enriched with uranium ore, placed in an airtight enclosure. The radioactivity of air samples was determined using a high resolution silicon diode detector system. Finds a negligible temperature effect on the emanation of radon between 23 c and 43 cand a relatively strong dependence on the moisture content of the concrete.< In studies on the effect of sealants finds no alteration in emanation from blocks stuccoed with cement plaster or coated with asphalt but a reduction in the concentration of radon daughters in the air of the enclosure and an increase in gamma-ray emission for radon daughters in the concrete from stuccoed blocks coated heavily with epoxy paint.