Soil-gas and indoor radon distribution related to geology in Frederick County, Maryland
- Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
Soil-gas radon concentrations vary in response to geologic controls in Frederick County, Maryland, and the variation leads to different radon availabilities for potential indoor accumulations. Quartzites, which form from the core of ridges and mountains of the southern and western part of the county, have a mean soil-gas radon concentration of 26 kBq m{sup -3} (700 pCi L{sup -1}). Phyllites, found in the Piedmont province in the eastern part of the county, have a mean soil-gas radon concentration of 59 kBq m{sup -3} (1600 pCi L{sup -1}). Many indoor radon measurements for homes in the southeast portion of the county, made by means of charcoal canisters, exceeded 1850 Bq m{sup -3} (50 pCi L{sup -1}). Homes built in areas where the soil-gas radon concentrations were greater than 75 kBq m{sup -3} (2000 pCi L{sup -1}) may have indoor radon concentrations that exceed 150 Bq m{sup -3} (4 pCi L{sup -1}), the current action level recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Data obtained in studies like ours throughout the United States are essential to identify {open_quotes}hot spots{close_quotes} which may produce elevated indoor radon levels of significant risk.
- OSTI ID:
- 45171
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-901010--Pt.1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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