Contribution of 222Rn in domestic water supplies to 222Rn in indoor air in Colorado homes

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Health Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199202000-00007· OSTI ID:5912466

Lawrence, E P; Wanty, R B; Nyberg, P ^[1]

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1. Geraghty Miller, Inc., Denver, CO (United States)

The contribution of 222Rn from domestic water wells to indoor air was investigated in a study of 28 houses near Conifer, CO. Air concentrations determined by alpha-track detectors (ATDs) and continuous radon monitors were compared with the predictions of a single-cell model. In many of the houses, the water supply was shown to contribute significantly to levels of indoor 222Rn. The data from the ATD study were augmented with a continuous monitoring study of a house near Lyons, CO. The well water in that house has the highest known concentration of 222Rn in water yet reported (93 MBq m-3). The temporal pattern in the indoor 222Rn concentration corresponds to water-use records. In general, it is difficult to quantify the proportion of indoor radon attributable to water use. Several lines of evidence suggest that the single-cell model underestimates this proportion. Continuous-monitoring data, although useful, are impractical due to the cost of the equipment. We propose a protocol for 222Rn measurement based on three simultaneous integrating radon detectors that may help estimate the proportion of indoor 222Rn derived from the water supply.

• OSTI ID: 5912466
• Journal Information: Health Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Health Physics; (United States) Vol. 62:2; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540330 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BUILDINGS
COLORADO
CONTAMINATION
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION VIII
HEAVY NUCLEI
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
MONITORS
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATION MONITORS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
USA
WATER SUPPLY