Occurrence of radon decay products in air within recreational areas

The research on the occurrence of radon decay products was carried out in the selected industrial and recreactional areas during the period of 1976-1985. 218Po, 214Pb and 214Bi occurrence was described by the changes of concentrations of these isotopes as a function of time and height. The modified TSIVOGLOU method was adapted for defining the concentrations of radon decay products. In order to eliminate radon stream fluctuation from the soil, the measurements were performed on the dam reservoir Wapienica and on the Seksty lake. The research was made in summer time to exclude additional sources of contaminations from coal combustion. The investigations of radon decay product concentrations in day-and-night cycle showed only slight variability of concentrations of examined radioisotopes. The frequency of radon decay products occurrence fulfilled normal distribution. Self-purification of air in recreational areas is 50-80 times faster when compared with that in the areas influenced by coal power stations. The washout of these radioisotopes is 10 times lower. 6 figs., 4 tabs., 8 refs. (author)