Potential for ion-induced nucleation of volatile organic compounds by radon decay in indoor environments

Technical Report · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5848473· OSTI ID:5848473

Daisey, J M

There is considerable interest in the unattached'' fraction of radon progeny in indoor air because of its significance to the estimation of the risks of radon exposure. Because of its high mobility in air, the unattached fraction is more efficiently deposited in the respiratory tract. Variation in the diameter of the unattached'' fraction and in its diffusion coefficient can be due to clustering of other atmospheric species around the {sup 218}PoO{sub 2}{sup +} ion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for the formation of clusters of vapor phase organic compounds, found in indoor air, around the {sup 218}PoO{sub 2}{sup +} ion and to determine which were most likely to form clusters. A secondary purpose was to provide a compilation of measurements of indoor organic compounds for future experiments and theoretical calculations by the radon research community. The classical charged liquid droplet theory (Thomson equation) was used to estimate the Gibbs free energy of ion-induced nucleation and to provide an indication of the indoor organic compounds most likely to undergo ion-induced nucleation. Forty-four volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds out of the more than 300 which have been reported in indoor air were investigated. Water vapor was included for comparison. The results indicate that there is a potential for the formation of clusters of organic compounds around the {sup 218}PoO{sub 2}{sup +} ion. The compounds with the greatest potential for cluster formation are the volatile oxidized hydrocarbons (e.g., n-butanol, phenol, hexanal, nonanal, benzaldehyde, the ketones and the acetates) and the semi-volatile organic compounds (pentachlorophenol, nicotine, chlordane, chlorpyrifos).

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5848473
• Report Number(s): LBL-30149; ON: DE92008305
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
NUCLEATION
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
IONS
POLONIUM OXIDES
PROGENY
VAPORS
VOLATILITY
AIR POLLUTION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
FLUIDS
GASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLONIUM COMPOUNDS
320107* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)
540130 - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)