Local probability of indoor radon concentration to exceed the threshold estimated from geogenic radon potential
Indoor radon has been recognized as an important air pollutant. Based on epidemiological evidence, it is estimated that indoor radon is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. As a consequence, one tries to limit exposure through regulations concerning the remediation of the existing...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences
2017-01-01
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Series: | Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection |
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Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1451-3994/2017/1451-39941701070B.pdf |
Summary: | Indoor radon has been recognized as an important air pollutant. Based on
epidemiological evidence, it is estimated that indoor radon is the second
cause of lung cancer after smoking. As a consequence, one tries to limit
exposure through regulations concerning the remediation of the existing
and prevention of future exposure. In this context, an essential task is the
delineation of areas in which it can be expected with certain confidence
that time-averaged indoor radon concentrations in dwellings and workplaces
exceed the reference level. These are called radon priority areas to denote
that these are areas in which remedial and preventive action has to be
implemented with priority. There are different definitions of radon priority
areas and different methods to estimate them from data. In Germany, the
current approach uses the geogenic radon potential as the predictor.
However, legal reference levels pertain to indoor radon concentration, not
to the geogenic radon potential. One therefore has to identify derived
reference levels for geogenic radon potential through statistical
association of both quantities. This paper presents a method to derive the
local probability that indoor radon concentration exceeds a threshold,
given the local geogenic radon potential. The relationship can be used to
derive geogenic radon potential reference levels which in turn serve to
define radon priority areas. |
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ISSN: | 1451-3994 1452-8185 |