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Radon Progeny Adsorption on Facial Masks

Author

Listed:
  • Annika Hinrichs

    (GSI Helmholtzzentrum Für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
    Department of Physics, Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany)

  • Claudia Fournier

    (GSI Helmholtzzentrum Für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Gerhard Kraft

    (GSI Helmholtzzentrum Für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

  • Andreas Maier

    (GSI Helmholtzzentrum Für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Planckstr. 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany)

Abstract

The radioactive noble gas radon and its short-living progeny are inhaled during respiration, depositing their decay energies in the lungs. These progeny are considered responsible for more than 95% of the total effective dose and are, together with radon, classified as carcinogenic for lung cancer. Consequently, filtration of the progeny could reduce the dose to the lungs. In our study, we investigated the filtration properties of FFP2 versus surgical masks (II R) for radon and its decay products. The masks were attached to a measurement device, which enabled determination of the size distribution of radon progeny, ranging from unattached to clustered progeny. In parallel, it measured the radon activity concentration during experiments. By comparing background measurements without mask and experiments with masks, the percentage of retained unattached radon progeny was determined for FFP2 (98.8 ± 0.6%) and II R masks (98.4 ± 0.7%). For clustered progeny, the retained fraction was 85.2 ± 18.1% for FFP2 and 79.5 ± 22.1% for II R masks while radon was not filtered. We can show that masks are effective in filtering radon progeny and thus are capable of reducing the total effective dose to the lungs.

Suggested Citation

  • Annika Hinrichs & Claudia Fournier & Gerhard Kraft & Andreas Maier, 2022. "Radon Progeny Adsorption on Facial Masks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11337-:d:910691
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    2. 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.
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    Keywords

    radon progeny; FFP2 masks; filtration;
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