Indoor radon progeny aerosol size measurements in urban, suburban, and rural regions

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Aerosol Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/02786829108959523· OSTI ID:5705552

Tu, K W; Knutson, E O; George, A C ^[1]

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1. Dept. of Energy, New York, NY (United States)

By using direct and indirect methods, the authors conducted size distribution measurements of radon progeny particles in a variety of indoor environments in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The radon progeny particle size distribution owing to indoor activities has two definable source categories: (1) gas combustion from stoves and kerosene heaters - particles were found to be smaller than 0.1 {mu}m in diameter, mostly in the range 0.02-0.08 {mu}m; and (2) cigarette smoking and food frying - particles were found to be larger, in the size range 0.1-0.2 {mu}m. The radon progeny particle size distribution, without significant indoor activities, such as cooking, was found to be larger in rural areas than in urban or suburban areas. The modal diameters of the size spectra in the rural areas were two to three times larger than those in urban or suburban areas, around 0.3-0.4 bs. 0.1-0.2 {mu}m. Results obtained by applying the attachment theory to the measured number-weighted size spectra from an electrical aerosol size analyzer support this finding. These results, if confirmed by more extensive studies, will be useful for the assessment of the risk from the inhalation of radon progeny in various indoor environments.

• OSTI ID: 5705552
• Journal Information: Aerosol Science and Technology; (United States), Vol. 15:3; ISSN 0278-6826
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
RADON
PARTICLE SIZE
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RURAL AREAS
URBAN AREAS
AIR POLLUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
ISOTOPES
MONITORING
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
RARE GASES
SIZE
540130* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)