Study of the influence of radon in water on radon levels in air in a closed location. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noverques, A.; Juste, B.; Sancho, M.; García-Fayos, B.; Verdú, G.
• Is Part Of: Radiation physics and chemistry. Volume 171(2020:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Radon in water -- Radon influence in air -- RadonScout plus -- Corentium pro -- Hidex 600 SL; Radiation chemistry -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Chimie sous rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.108761
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-806X

Abstract

Abstract: Radon, radioactive gas that comes from uranium and radium decay was considered as a carcinogenic element by the World Health Organization in 1988. The hazard of this gas resides in two of its descendants, the 214 Po and 218 Po, solid particles that adhere to the aerosols present in the air and are deposited in human lungs causing damage to its tissue. In closed spaces, radon tends to accumulate in the air reaching levels above the legislative limits established in the Directive 59/2019/EURATOM. However, radon is present not only in the air but also in soil, water and building materials. In this research it has been investigated water as a radon source. Due to its high variability, the main objective of this research is to study the influence of water radon concentration into air radon concentration in two situations: at a laboratory scale and in a real installation. For this purpose, an experimental device was designed at laboratory scale to analyze this influence in stable conditions of temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure, thus reducing the interference of these variables in radon measurements. For field measurements, the radon levels in water and its possible influence on the increase in air concentration in a Waste Water Pre-Treatment Plant (WWPTP) have been analyzed. Highlights: Radon in air and water are measured in order to analyzed the possible influence between them. Radon measurements were taken in experimental device and in Waste Water Pre-Treatment Plant. The experimental device has allowed to characterize a radon source. Radon behavior has been adjusted to the closed compartment model (CCM). There is a significant influence of water radon concentration to that measured in air.