Published January 6, 1995 | Version v1
Journal article

Radon measurements in soil to predict indoor radon concentrations in new buildings in an area with unusually high radon levels

  • 1. Institute of Medical Physics, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck (Austria)
  • 2. Department of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Technology, Innsbruck (Austria)
  • 3. Institute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck (Austria)
  • 4. Institute of Mineralogy, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck (Austria)

Description

We investigated the possible correlation between measurements of radon concentrations in soil and indoor radon concentrations. Such a correlation could be used to estimate the radon concentrations to be expected in new buildings, which is important for the evaluation of building plots. For this purpose, we measured the seasonal course of radon concentrations in 41 tubes along two profiles in an area with unusually high radon levels (Umhausen, 2600 inhabitants, Tyrol, Austria). Parallel to the measurements in the tubes, radon concentrations were measured in the basements of 30 houses located within a radius of 15 m around the tubes in July 1992 and in February 1993. Linear correlation analysis was performed to establish the correlation between the indoor measurements and the measurements in the tubes. Measurements of radon concentrations in soil give only limited information about the radon concentrations to be expected in new buildings, and seasonal and local variations make predictions based on spot measurements unreliable

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Science of the Total Environment
Journal Volume
162
Journal Issue
2,3
Journal Page Range
p. 209-213.
ISSN
0048-9697
CODEN
STENDL

INIS

Country of Publication
Netherlands
Country of Input or Organization
Netherlands
INIS RN
26040459
Subject category
S54: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES;
Descriptors DEI
AUSTRIA; CONCENTRATION RATIO; CORRELATIONS; MICROCLIMATES; RADIATION MONITORING; RADON; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; SOILS; TUBES
Descriptors DEC
BUILDINGS; CLIMATES; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; ELEMENTS; EUROPE; MONITORING; NONMETALS; RARE GASES; VARIATIONS; WESTERN EUROPE