radon

Reviews the scientific literature on indoor air pollution. Low-pollution design and construction techniques employed in the Sunnyhill Low-Pollution Research Centre are outlined in detail and suggestions are made on their applicability to new and existing housing in Canada. The study recommends a four-fold approach to the indoor air pollution problem by government and the building industry: A) short-circuit major potential hazards, B) deal with low-pollution housing needs, C) spread and apply present knowledge, and D)foster more research and discussions on regulation.

Measurements of the radioactive subsoil inside a closed and air conditioned room were made to establish how far the concentration of radon and the radon daughters may be changed by means of ventilation. Whereas the radioactive subsoil in a building cannot be influenced due to the given cosmic radiation and the radio-active isotopes, it is generally assumed that the radio-activity originated by Radon 222 may be removed from the room air by ventilators. The radon diffusing from the brickwork disintegrates into several intermediate radio-active products and finally into stable lead.

Discusses the sources of radiation exposure for the population of the UK. Radon is the most important natural element. Presents results of national and regional surveys. Remedies and preventive measures are outlined and protection standards are suggested.

Covers indoor pollutant levels and their health effects in humans and animals for five principal classes of pollutant: radon, microorganisms, passive cigarette smoke, combustion products, and organic compounds. They are examined from viewpoints such as measurement and source characterisation habitat studies, health effects, risk analysis, and future needs.

A representative panel of 37 conventional houses in Eastern Pennsylvania was chosen. Each house was located with respect to its geological formation (the underlying substrate). Blower-door ventilation measurements were made. The concentration of radon in the domestic water supplies was analysed and passive radon monitors were used to measure the radon in the air. It was concluded that the radon in these houses arises largely from the soil and passes through the foundations.

Radon-222 and 222Rn progeny concentrations, barometric pressure and pressure differentials between inside and outside were measured continuously in the basement of a recently constructed energy-efficient house in metropolitan Denver, Colorado

The effect of small aerosol particles and the effect of air cleaning devices on the behaviour of the decay products of radon have been studied. The long term measurements in a one-family house have shown that the behaviour of the decay produc

Specific indoor air quality issues that have arisen in the UK in recent years have involved asbestos, formaldehyde, pesticide residues, radon and combustion products. Different measures have been taken with regard to each of these substances. In general, an education approach has been adopted, although national standards, industry self-regulation and some regulatory measures have been used. In the UK, control of ill defined, distributed or non stationary indoor air pollutants such as body odour, tobacco smoke and water vapour, is considered to be best achieved by suitable ventilation.

The influence of the various sources of pollution on the home environment in the Netherlands is reviewed, eg, outdoor air, gas-fired appliances, tobacco smoking and building materials. The pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particles and radon are discussed in more detail. Available data show that outdoor standards for air quality are often exceeded indoors. However, conclusions on exposure and health effects cannot be drawn until more data are available from random or stratified samples of houses.

Summarizes the state of knowledge about combustion products, surface condensation and mould, formaldehyde and radon, and the guidance currently offered on their control in the UK. Statutory ventilation requirements are outlined and various measurement techniques described.