Radon hazards associated with outcrops of Ohio shale in Ohio

Journal Article · · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01704574· OSTI ID:5564863

Harrell, J A; Kumar, A ^[1]; Belsito, M E ^[2]

---

1. Univ. of Toledo, OH (United States)
2. ASI Environmental Technologies, Ludington, MI (United States)

The indoor (basement) radon concentrations and the uranium, organic carbon, and radon contents of samples from the underlying Ohio Shale (Upper Devonian) were investigated in six approximately 100 square kilometer areas of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie-Huron, Franklin, Pike, and Logan counties. The thickness and lithology and the sediment above the Ohio Shale in these areas also was investigated. Results show that the amount of radon gas emanating from the Ohio shale is a direct function of the uranium concentration in this geologic unit and that the uranium itself is ultimately controlled by the amount of organic matter. Uranium, organic matter (as measured by total organic carbon), and radon in the Ohio Shale outcrops all increase in a westward direction across Ohio. Similarly, the indoor radon concentrations in houses increases from east and west across the state. Where the average thickness of the sediment overburden exceeds 27 m (Franklin and Logan counties), much of the radon in houses may be derived from Ohio Shale clasts in the glacial till. In other areas where the average overburden thickness is 6 m or less (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie-Huron, and Pike counties), the indoor radon levels appear to be directly controlled by emanations from the underlying Ohio Shale bedrock.

• OSTI ID: 5564863
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 18:1; ISSN 0177-5146; ISSN EGWSE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GEOLOGY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LITHOLOGY
MONITORING
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
OHIO
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
SEDIMENTS
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES