A study of anthropogenic effect on radon emission rate

Nafis Islam Dalee — 2025-06-04

Radon (²²²Rn) is an element of significant environmental concern due to its health risks. This study examines the impact of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, industrial emissions, and agricultural fertilizer use on radon exhalation rates and measured ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn concentrations in soil samples from Chattogram, Bangladesh. A total of 60 soil samples were collected from areas categorized by different human activities. The ²²⁶Ra activity concentration in the first group (low human activity) ranged from 12 ± 2 to 35 ± 12 Bqkg^-1, in the second group (moderate activity) from 25 ± 5 to 39 ± 13 Bqkg^-1, and in the third group (high activity) from 30 ± 6 to 44 ± 10 Bqkg^-1, while ²²²Rn concentrations in the first, second, and third groups were observed to vary from 15 ± 5 to 39 ± 9 Bqm^-3, 31 ± 9 to 51 ± 13 Bqm^-3, and 36 ± 6 to 59 ± 9 Bqm^-3, respectively. In high-activity areas, most locations exceed the UNSCEAR-recommended global average of 35 Bqkg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra concentrations, indicating health risks due to radium exposure in these areas. Though ²²²Rn activity concentrations are below the recommended values suggested by ICRP, the activity concentrations have been found to increase as the locations vary from less developed to more developed areas. These findings emphasize the need for radon monitoring, mitigation measures, and public health awareness to minimize exposure risks.

Radon-220 exhalation methodology and temporal variation in a HBRA, Fen complex

Hallvard Haanes — 2025-04-02

Radon and its progeny are major contributors to dose to the public. In high background radiation areas (HBRAs), the risk is increased. In the Fen igneous complex, Norway, significant outdoor levels of radon-220 (²²⁰Rn) have been observed and exhalation from the ground is a contributor. Such exhalation depends on many factors, including levels of radon-progenitors in the ground. Temporal variation in ²²⁰Rn exhalation rates is affected by weather parameters. We show large ²²⁰Rn exhalation rates at Fen complex and assess temporal variation, which is explained by weather parameters, especially by wind. Exhalation rates are calculated from measurement series in an exhalation container using different phases of accumulation. We find a bias depending on whether the linear phase of increase or the subsequent threshold phase is used, and show it is affected by whether air is sampled from the side or top valve of the container. However, in areas where progenitor levels in the ground are low, assessment of the linear phase may not be possible due to required period of measurement intervals.

Journal of the European Radon Association

A study of anthropogenic effect on radon emission rate

Radon-220 exhalation methodology and temporal variation in a HBRA, Fen complex