Regional levels of indoor radon in Virginia and Maryland

Journal Article · Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02574732· OSTI ID:5946885

Mose, D G; Mushrush, G W ^[1]

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1. George Mason Univ., Fairfax, VA (United States)

The levels of Rn-222 in homes located in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, are currently being measured during four consecutive three-month seasonal intervals using alpha-track detectors. Significant variations occur between parts of northern Virginia and southern Maryland because the area is part of three very different geologic provinces. Results from the winter period in these three provinces show that the indoor radon levels were about twice as high as anticipated. Approximately 45 percent of the homes had winter indoor radon levels above 4 pCi/l, the EPA's recommended action level, and in the spring period, more than 30 percent of the homes still had indoor levels above 4 pCi/l. Indoor radon variations due to seasonal control were about as significant as geological control. Worst-case combinations developed over some rock units in the winter, producing areas in which about 70 percent of the homes exceeded 4 pCi/l.

• OSTI ID: 5946885
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 12:3; 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-)
540230 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTINIDES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BUILDINGS
CHEMISTRY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION III
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MARYLAND
MASS TRANSFER
MEASURING METHODS
METALS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
URANIUM
USA
VIRGINIA