Study of the influence of porosity on the radon emanation coefficient in different building material samples by combining the SSNTD technique with Monte Carlo simulations

Radon alpha-activities per unit volume have been measured inside and outside different building material samples by using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). Radon emanation coefficients of the studied building materials have been evaluated. The porosities of the building material samples studied have been determined by using a Monte Carlo calculational method adapted to the experimental conditions and compared with data obtained by the Archimedes's method. The influence of the building material porosity on the radon emanation coefficient has been investigated.     

A new method for studying the influence of pollution and soil nature on the radon emanation from water samples by using solid state nuclear track detectors

Radon emanation from surface water and groundwater samples has been studied by using CR-39 and LR-115 solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). A calibration method for determining the thoron and radon concentrations of the water samples studied has been developed. The effect of pollution due to coal fly ashes, cement and granite dusts on the radon emanation from water samples has been investigated. The influence of the radon source on the radon emanation rates from water samples has been studied.     

The influence of the soil and plant natures and pollution on the radon and thoron alpha-activities inside various herbal infusions by using solid state nuclear track detectors

Uranium and thorium contents were determined in samples of various plants in the soils in which the plants were grown, and in herbal infusions made by boiling the plants in potable water, using CR-39 and LR-115 solid state nuclear track detectors. In addition, radon and thoron alpha-activities per unit volume inside the plants, soils and herbal infusions were measured. These measurements were completed by an investigation of the radon transfer between soils and plants and that between plants and herbal infusions, and also by the investigation of the influence of pollution due to different material dusts on the radon and thoron alpha activities inside the plants and their infusions.     

Influence of pollution and building materials on domestic radioactivity in Marrakechi dwellings

Domestic radioactivity has been studied by using LR-115 and CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors (SNTD) and a suitable beta- and gamma-gaseous counter. A new calibration method, based on measuring thoron (²²⁰Rn) to radon (²²²Rn) ratios, has been developed for determining the -activity originating from radon in different Marrakechi dwellings. The influence of building materials as well as pollution and airing factors, on domestic radioactivity has been investigated.     

Study of the influence of the lithological and hydrogeological parameters of aquifers on the radon emanation from underground waters using solid state nuclear track detectors

Radon-to-thoron ratios as well as radon and thoron activity concentrations in different underground water samples belonging to different aquifers in the Moroccan Middle Atlas area have been evaluated by LR-115 and CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) using a new calibration method. The radon isotope (²²²Rn) was used as a tracer for studying the water exchange between different aquifers of the area studied. The influence of the lithological and hydrogeological parameters of the aquifers on radon emanation were investigated.     

Radon Dose and Aerosols

The equilibrium factor value (F) was measured in the NRPB radon chamber and the corresponding track density ratio (r = D/D ₀) of bare (D) and diffusion (D ₀) LR-115 nuclear track detectors was determined, as well as the regression equation F(r). Experiments with LR-115 nuclear track detectors and aerosol sources (burning candle and cigarette) were carried out in the Osijek University radon chamber and afterwards an empirical relationship between the equilibrium factor and aerosol concentration was derived. For the purpose of radon dose equivalent assessment, procedures for determining the unattached fraction of radon progeny were introduced using two nuclear track detectors.     

Influence of the building material and ventilation rate on the concentration of radon, thoron and their progenies in dwelling rooms using SSNTD and Monte Carlo simulation

A new Monte Carlo computer code was developed for determining the detection efficiencies of the CR-39 and LR-115 II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) for a-particles emitted by radon (²²²Rn) and thoron (²²⁰Rn) series inside the atmosphere of dwelling rooms. Alpha-activities due to radon, thoron and their decay products, were evaluated for the determination of the detection efficiencies of the SSNTD utilized for the emitted a-particles by measuring the corresponding track densities. The influence of the ventilation rate and building material on the concentration of radon, thoron and their progenies was investigated. Equilibrium factors between radon and its progeny and between thoron and its daughters have been evaluated in the air of the rooms.     

Indoor radon measurement in Izmir Province,Turkey

In 2013, an extensive study was performed in a total of 117 locations in Izmir province and indoor radon levels were measured using the alpha track etch integrated method with LR-115 detectors. As the maps are more practical to interpret the results of radiological survey, the distributions of indoor ²²²Rn activities in four most densely populated districts of Izmir were mapped in detail. It is seen that the estimated average radon concentration level (210 Bq m^?3) determined in Izmir province was almost three times higher than the mean value for Turkey (81 Bq m^?3). Exposed annual effective dose equivalents for Izmir province were estimated in the range of 0.7 to 12.3 mSv year^?1 with a mean of 5.3 mSv year^?1. In this study, it is pointed out that indoor radon concentration was affected by the age of the building and height above the ground.     

Rn-222 air concentrations in Chihuahua State (Mexico) dwellings and in the U.S./Mexico border

Using charcoal detectors and electrets, radon concentrations were measured at 12 different locations in Mexico, homes in particular, throughout Chihuahua State. While these measurements were short-term, long-term measurements were also conducted around Chihuahua and Aldama cities using LR-115 II type detectors. In addition, LR-115 II type detectors were deployed for comparative purposes between Ciudad Juarez (Mexico) and El Paso (Texas). Significant average radon values were obtained in Aldama and Parral at 225 and 173 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq m^− 3), respectively. Over 30% of the homes sampled in Aldama, Cuauhtemoc, Parral and Chihuahua had radon concentrations greater than 148 Bq m^− 3.     

Natural radioactivity of building materials

Experiments were designed to measure trace uranium concentration and the rate of radon exhalation from masonry structural materials, both bare and surface finished and coated. LR115 cellulose nitrate track detectors were used to record the alpha emission from structural material surface. Fission track, neutron activation and fluorometric analysis methods were used to determine the uranium content. Most types of paints studied will reduce alpha contribution and radon emanation from building materials.     

Indoor radon levels of spas and dwellings located around Bayındır geothermal region

Western part of Turkey is rich area in terms of geothermal sources. The one of these geothermal areas is Bay?nd?r-Dereköy/Ergenli located in Küçük Menderes Graben. In this study, indoor radon concentrations were determined in some places (spas and some dwellings) located on Bay?nd?r-Dereköy/Ergenli. Measurements were realized using LR-115 type 2 solid state nuclear track detectors in the course of 10 months. The indoor radon concentrations were found between 39.3 and 235.4 Bq m^?3 for spas, 39.3 and 405 Bq m^?3 for houses. Indoor radon concentrations were compared with reference levels determined by international agencies. Radon concentrations in this area were quite low than reference levels revised by international health agencies.     

Radioactivity contents in building materials used in Hong Kong

The radioactivity contents in building materials used in Hong Kong were measured to determine the sources of the high indoor radon concentrations observed in local buildings. The radium contents and the radon emanation coefficients of different building materials were measured by high resolution γ-ray spectroscopy using germanium detectors. The radon exhalation rates were measured using scintillation cells by circulating the exhaled radon from building materials and obtaining the initial growth rates. The radium content and the radon exhalation rates of concrete and bricks used in Hong Kong were found to be higher than those in some other countries, resulting in high indoor radon concentrations probably due to the high radioactivity contents in the aggregates, granitic in nature, used in building materials.     

The influence of the lithology and depth on water recharge of wells in two Moroccan Atlantic coastal regions by using solid state nuclear track detectors and radon as a natural tracer

Uranium and thorium contents as well as radon and thoron -activity concentrations were evaluated inside different underground water samples by using a method based on calculating the CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) detection efficiencies for the emitted -particles and measuring the resulting track density rates. The validity of the SSNTD technique utilized was checked by analysing uranium nitrate standard solutions. A relationship between water radon concentration and recharge of wells dug in two Moroccan Atlantic coastal regions, for a given lithology, was found. The influence of the lithology and depth on radon concentration and salinity of well waters studied was investigated.     

Determination of Radon Equivalent Alpha-Doses in Different Human Organs from Water Ingestion Using SSNTD and Dosimetric Compartmental Models

Radon -activities per unit volume have been measured in different drinking water samples belonging to different aquifers and sources by using CR-39 and LR-115 solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). Radon initial equivalent -dose rates due to water ingestion have been evaluated in the stomach assuming that all the radon ingested appears in this organ. The influence of the origin and quality of the water samples studied has been investigated. Committed equivalent doses have been determined in different human organs by using dosimetric compartment models. The influence of the radon mean residence time on the committed equivalent doses in the different compartments of the gastrointestinal system has been studied. The committed equivalent dose per unit activity of radon ingested has been evaluated in the stomach tissue and compared with literature data.     

The influence of the lithology and granulation on radon emanation in a sedimentary phosphatic deposit using solid state nuclear track detectors

Samples have been collected from different layers in a sedimentary phosphatic deposit and sieved. Different granulometric fractions have been selected. The uranium and thorium contents have been determined in each phosphate sample and its corresponding selected fractions. Radon (²²²Rn) α-activities per unit volume have been evaluated inside and outside each phosphate sample and its corresponding selected fractions by using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). The radon emanation coefficient in each phosphate layer has been determined and the global radon alpha activity outside a parallelepipedic block of the layers studied was evaluated. The influence of the lithology and granulation on the radon emanation has been studied.     

Radiation dose due to radon,thoron and their decay products in indoor environment of Khurja City,U.P., India

Inhalation of radon, thoron and their decay products can cause a significant health hazard when present in enhanced levels in the indoor environment like a human dwelling. In the present work a set of indoor radon and thoron measurements was carried out using time-integrated passive twin cup dosimeters containing LR-115 Type II solid state nuclear track detectors in different houses of Khurja City in Bulandshahar district of U.P. in India, built of the same type of building materials. The radon gas concentration was found to vary from 9.18 to 23.19 Bq m^?3 with an average value of 16.02 Bq m^?3 (SD = 3.68) and the thoron gas concentration varied from 2.78 to 9.03 Bq m^?3 with an average value of 5.36 Bq m^?3 (SD = 1.58). The radon progeny concentration ranged from 0.99 to 2.51 mWL with an average value of 1.77 mWL (SD = 0.40) and the concentration of thoron progeny was found to vary from 0.30 to 0.98 mWL with an average value of 0.58 mWL (SD = 0.17). The annual effective dose varied from 0.27 to 0.67 mSv year^?1 with an average value of 0.47 mSv year^?1(SD = 0.10).     

Assessment of effective radium content and radon exhalation rates in soil samples

Effective radium content and radon exhalation rates in soil samples have been measured by ??Sealed Can Technique?? using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors. The soil samples were collected from Farrukhabad city of Utter Pradesh, India. The values of effective radium content were found to vary from 5.39 to 34.56?Bq?kg^?1 with an average value of 16.58?Bq?kg^?1 and a standard deviation of 7.16. The mass and surface exhalation rate has been found to vary from 0.41?×?10^?6 to 2.64?×?10^?6?Bq?kg^?1?d^?1 and 1.41?×?10^?6 to 9.10?×?10^?6?Bq?m^?2?d^?1, respectively. All the values of radium content in soil samples of study area were found to be quite lower than the permissible value of 370?Bq?kg^?1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.     

Radon concentrations in kindergartens of Osijek and Ljubljana

Indoor radon concentrations in the kidergartens of Osijek, Croatia, have been measured with -scintillation cells, LR-115 nuclear track detectors, as well as a Radhome semiconductor detector. Average values of 50.2, 43.7 and 47 Bq m^–3 were obtained, respectively. Under the worst conditions, the annual radon effective dose equivalent was 10 mSv y^–1. Using bare and filtered LR-115 detectors, the average equilibrium factor was assessed as 0.36 indoors. Measurements of the -dose rate in the kindergartens did not show any significant correlation with the radon concentration. Indoor radon concentrations in the kindergartens of Ljubljana, Slovenia, measured by scintillation cells had an arithmetic mean and standard deviation of 228 and 143 Bq m^–3, respectively.     

Determination of alpha-dose rates and chronostratigraphical study of travertine samples

Uranium and thorium contents in different layers of stratigraphical sedimentary deposits have been evaluated by using LR-115 type II and CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). A method has been developed for determining the alpha-dose rates of the sedimentary travertine samples. Using the U/Th dating method, we succeeded in age dating carbonated level sampled in the sedimentary deposits. Correlation between the stratigraphy, alpha-dose rates and age has been investigated.     

Concentrations of radon,thoron and their decay products measured in natural caves and ancient mines by using solid state nuclear track detectors and resulting radiation dose to the members of the public

Alpha- and beta-activities per unit volume of air due to radon (²²²Rn), thoron (²²⁰Rn) and their progenies were measured in the air of natural caves and ancient mines as well as inside different reference atmospheres by using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). In addition, the radon concentration was continuously measured inside one of the studied caves by using the SSNTDs’ method and AlphaGuard counter. Equilibrium factors between radon and its daughters and between thoron and its progeny were evaluated in the studied atmospheres. Alpha-activities due to ²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Po short-lived radon decay products were determined in different compartments of the respiratory tract of members of the public. The committed equivalent doses due to the ²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Po radon short-lived progeny were evaluated in different tissues of the respiratory tract of the visitors of the considered caves and ancient mines. Annual effective doses due to radon progeny from the inhalation of air by the visitors of the studied caves and ancient mines were evaluated.