Radon in outdoor air in Nevada

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199404000-00009· OSTI ID:258987

Price, J G ^[1]; Rigby, J G; Christensen, L ^[2]

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1. National Research Council, Washington, DC (United States)
2. Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States); and others

Measurements of radon at 50 sites with varying geology indicate that outdoor air in Nevada is comparable to that measured nationwide by Hopper et al. The state-wide median of 15 Bq m{sup -3} (0.4 pCi L{sup -1}) is essentially the same as the nationwide median. The range is considerable: from 2.6-52 Bq m{sup -3} (0.07-1.40 pCi L{sup -1}). Variations in these measurements can generally be correlated with different concentrations of radon in soils and uranium and its progeny in rocks. Silica-rich igneous rocks (rhyolites and granites) appear to be the main sources of high levels of radon in outdoor air in Nevada. Concentrations of radon in outdoor air generally correlate with levels of radon in soil gas. Measurements taken from heights of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m above the ground suggest that radon in outdoor air reflects the local geology throughout this range of heights. Towns for which >20% of the homes have indoor-air radon concentrations >48 Bq m{sup -3} (4 pCi L{sup -1}) generally have relatively high soil-gas radon, relatively high outdoor-air radon, or both. 16 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 258987
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 66; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR
GEOLOGY
IGNEOUS ROCKS
NEVADA
PROGENY
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADON
SOILS
URANIUM