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Radon Adsorption in Charcoal

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Maier

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Jesse Jones

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
    Faculty of Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Sonja Sternkopf

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
    Faculty of Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Erik Friedrich

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
    Faculty of Physics, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Claudia Fournier

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Gerhard Kraft

    (Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

Abstract

Radon is pervasive in our environment and the second leading cause of lung cancer induction after smoking. Therefore, the measurement of radon activity concentrations in homes is important. The use of charcoal is an easy and cost-efficient method for this purpose, as radon can bind to charcoal via Van der Waals interaction. Admittedly, there are potential influencing factors during exposure that can distort the results and need to be investigated. Consequently, charcoal was exposed in a radon chamber at different parameters. Afterward, the activity of the radon decay products 214 Pb and 214 Bi was measured and extrapolated to the initial radon activity in the sample. After an exposure of 1 h, around 94% of the maximum value was attained and used as a limit for the subsequent exposure time. Charcoal was exposed at differing humidity ranging from 5 to 94%, but no influence on radon adsorption could be detected. If the samples were not sealed after exposure, radon desorbed with an effective half-life of around 31 h. There is also a strong dependence of radon uptake on the chemical structure of the recipient material, which is interesting for biological materials or diffusion barriers as this determines accumulation and transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Maier & Jesse Jones & Sonja Sternkopf & Erik Friedrich & Claudia Fournier & Gerhard Kraft, 2021. "Radon Adsorption in Charcoal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-7, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4454-:d:541444
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Rabago & Ismael Fuente & Santiago Celaya & Alicia Fernandez & Enrique Fernandez & Jorge Quindos & Ricardo Pol & Giorgia Cinelli & Luis Quindos & Carlos Sainz, 2020. "Intercomparison of Indoor Radon Measurements Under Field Conditions In the Framework of MetroRADON European Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Timofey Leshukov & Konstantin Legoshchin & Aleksey Larionov, 2023. "Radon Hazard of the Zhurinsky Fault for the Population in the Kuznetsk Coal Basin: Primary Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Annika Hinrichs & Claudia Fournier & Gerhard Kraft & Andreas Maier, 2022. "Radon Progeny Adsorption on Facial Masks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-10, September.

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    1. Annika Hinrichs & Claudia Fournier & Gerhard Kraft & Andreas Maier, 2022. "Radon Progeny Adsorption on Facial Masks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-10, September.

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