Measurement of Exhalation of Radon-222 from Soil of City of Rivne, Ukraine

Abstract

These studies show that the radon content in the air of buildings of Rivne city is mainly influenced by the factors radiological characteristics of the underlying soils under the buildings and building materials (first of all, the radon emanation coefficient in soil, soils gas permeability, etc.). characteristics of the ventilation systems of buildings and modes of ventilation, design features of buildings (number of floors, type of foundation, available aerodynamic connection between floors, location of communication systems within outlines of building, etc.), the type of glazing (the degree of tightness, available ventilation valves, etc.), the type of heating (stove, electric, gas or central) and the level of floor in spaces: basements, semi-basements, first floors regarding land surface. Considering the given factors, can conclude that essential reduction in radon content in indoor air of buildings can be achieved by) choosing a site for building, where radon release from soil is low, applying building envelopes that effectively prevent entering of radon from the soil into building, removing of radon from indoor air. In order to comply with these requirements it is necessary to monitor radiation safety parameters according to volumetric activity in indoor air and radon flux density (RDF) from soil under buildings. The results thereof should be used for sanitary and epidemiological assessment of land sites for building and environmental safety in living spaces. We consider that the main parameter of the anti-radon pre-design stage of construction is the determination of RDF from soil in building site and mapping of RDF from soil in modern cities will allow to develop plans for ecological building and ensure reduction of the ecological radon risk for the citizens. Mapping is based on the analysis of the spatial distribution of values of radon flux density, which is released from surface of city soils. Such approach allows to use the map in urban planning, in pre-design surveys for building, in hygiene studies, for estimating of the doses that are received by citizens due to radon exposure and, finally, as a resource for informing the citizens.