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Radon Risk Mapping using Indoor Monitoring Data ‐ A Case Study of the Lahti Area, Finland
Author(s) -
Voutilainen Anne,
Mäkeläinen Ilona
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0668.1993.00022.x
Subject(s) - radon , bedrock , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , physical geography , geology , geography , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
An empirical statistical model is described for the use of indoor radon monitoring data as an indicator of the areal radon risk from soil and bedrock. The percentages of future homes expected to have radon concentrations exceeding the design level of 200 Bq/m 3 unless constructed to provide protection against the entry of radon were assessed. The radon prognosis was made for different subareas, soil types and foundation types. This kind of report is used by the health and building authorities. In this study, 2689 indoor radon measurements were made in one of Finland's most radon‐prone areas, consisting of eleven municipalities with a total area of 4600 km 2 and a population of 186,000. Radon concentrations were seasonally adjusted. Data on the location, geology and construction of buildings were determined from maps and questionnaires. The measurements covered different kinds of geological units in the area. The radon risk is highest in the gravel‐dominated subarea in an ice‐marginal formation and lowest in the northern half of the area in buildings constructed on bedrock. In these two areas, the design level of 200 Bq/m 3 would be exceeded in 99% and 39% of new houses with slab‐on‐grade.