Attached and unattached fractions of short-lived radon decay products in outdoor environments: effect on the human respiratory system

The authors developed a model for determining the alpha- and beta-activities per unit volume of air due to radon (222Rn), thoron (220Rn) and their decay products attached and unattached to the aerosol in the outdoor air at the workplace in natural conditions at different locations in Morocco by using both CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors. In addition, the percentage of 218Po, 214Pb and 214Po radionuclides attached to the aerosols and the unattached fraction fj for different values of the attachment rate were evaluated. Radon and thoron concentrations in outdoor air of the studied different locations were found to vary from 9.20±0.8 to 16.30±1.50 Bq m-3 and 0.22±0.02 to 1.80±0.20 Bq m-3, respectively. The committed equivalent doses due to the radon short-lived progeny 218Po and 214Po attached and unattached to the aerosol air were evaluated in different tissues of the respiratory tract of the members of the public from the inhalation of outdoor air. (authors)