The dependence of volumetric radon activity in indoor air on environmental conditions

Abstract

The radon isotope, 222Rn, has a significant impact on human beings due to the irradiation caused illnesses. The article deals with the process of radon entering into residential buildings and its residential exposure level related to changes in environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure and moisture content. Dependence of the indoor radon activity on environmental factors has been studied at three sites: two multi-storey and one low-rise buildings in autumn (September - November 2014) period. During the study period radon activity values in low-rise house constructed in 2009, in Lithuania at Ukmergė district, Jogvilų village, ranged from 73 ± 13 to 747 ± 134 Bq m-3 and the average value was 382 ± 76 Bq m-3. This value is higher than the allowed average activity value of 300 Bq m-3 and could present a radiological risk for inhabitants if the above mentioned parameters are not taken into account.