Increased indoor Rn levels due to actinide containing mineral collections displayed in living areas
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen (Switzerland)
Collection of crystals ranging from quartz to U or Th containing minerals is a widespread spare time activity in Switzerland. Radon emanation from stones displayed in showcases in the living area may contribute considerably to elevated Rn levels in the indoor air. Time-averaged Rn gas measurements in 35 homes of subscribers to a journal for mineral collectors showed an unexpected statistically significant increase of 98 Bq m-3 in the Rn level of the room containing the collections compared to the levels measured in a control room on the same floor. Using ICRP Publication 50 conversion factors for indoor exposure to Rn decay products, the additional effective dose equivalent contracted was estimated to amount to an average of 2.7 mSv y-1. Although the 220Rn emanation rate, as measured in the display cases, was considerable in several cases, the dose from 220Rn decay products in the living area remained always a small fraction of the Rn dose. Remedial actions for crystal collections containing considerable amounts of U- or Th-based minerals are suggested.
- OSTI ID:
- 5474645
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Health Physics; (USA) Vol. 57:3; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BUILDINGS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EUROPE
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
MINERALS
MONITORING
NUCLEI
POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 220
RADON ISOTOPES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SECONDS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
SWITZERLAND