radon

This paper presents the results of a series of measurements made in an occupied family house. Long and short-term measurements of the concentration of radon gas in the cellar and other living areas of the house were carried out. Subsequently a mechanical ventilation system was installed in the cellar and operated in both supply and extract mode with different air change rates. Further measurements of radon concentrations were carried out along with other physical parameters.

The Building Research Establishment is currently investigating the impact of various radon remedies at a radon affected test house. Tests aim to assess how different ventilation strategies affect indoor radon levels and the building environment. Those examined include natural underfloor ventilation, mechanical underfloor ventilation (supply and extract), and whole house pressurisation. The test house has a suspended timber floor with an inaccessible underfloor space and is typical of much of the UK housing stock except for indoor radon levels regularly in excess of 1000Bqm^-3.

The workplaces located in southern (18 places) and central Finland. The total amount of workrooms measured was 87. The mean concentration of radon was 254 Bq/m3 (range from 12 to 1647 Bq/m3) during working hours. The calculated radon entry rates varied from 2 to 4780 kBq/h. The measured air exchange rates varied from 0.1 to 13.3 l/h and calculated ventilation flow rates varied from 30 to 55200 m3/h. Radon concentration was found to depend on the type of foundation, whereas types of ventilation or the ventilation flow rates did not correlate significantly with the concentrations of radon.

This paper describes the results of a series of tracer gas tests performed in the mining community of Schlema in eastern Germany. The purpose of these tests was to determine the influence of various mechanisms and subterranean features on the radon levels in the ambient air and in the buildings of the community. Under the former Democratic Republic of Germany (the DDR regime), the mines in and near Schlema and in the ore mountains in Sachsen were an importance source of uranium. These mines have now been closed down and the area is currently under remediation.