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Radon in Indoor Air: Towards Continuous Monitoring

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  • Juliana P. Sá

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro T. B. S. Branco

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Fernando G. Martins

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sofia I. V. Sousa

    (LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
    ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Radon poses significant health risks. Thus, the continuous monitoring of radon concentrations in buildings’ indoor air is relevant, particularly in schools. Low-cost sensors devices are emerging as promising technologies, although their reliability is still unknown. Therefore, this is the first study aiming to evaluate the performance of low-cost sensors devices for short-term continuous radon monitoring in the indoor air of nursery and primary school buildings. Five classrooms of different age groups (infants, pre-schoolers and primary school children) were selected from one nursery and one primary school in Porto (Portugal). Radon indoor concentrations were continuously monitored using one reference instrument (Radim 5B) and three commercially available low-cost sensors devices (Airthings Wave and RandonEye: RD200 and RD200P2) for short-term sampling (2–4 consecutive days) in each studied classroom. Radon concentrations were in accordance with the typical profiles found in other studies (higher on weekends and non-occupancy periods than on occupancy). Both RadonEye low-cost sensors devices presented similar profiles with Radim 5B and good performance indices (R 2 reaching 0.961), while the Airthings Wave behavior was quite different. These results seem to indicate that the RadonEye low-cost sensors devices studied can be used in short-term radon monitoring, being promising tools for actively reducing indoor radon concentrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana P. Sá & Pedro T. B. S. Branco & Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz & Fernando G. Martins & Sofia I. V. Sousa, 2022. "Radon in Indoor Air: Towards Continuous Monitoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1529-:d:736693
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthea R. Lacchia & Geertje Schuitema & Aparajita Banerjee, 2020. "“Following the Science”: In Search of Evidence-Based Policy for Indoor Air Pollution from Radon in Ireland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Pranas Baltrėnas & Raimondas Grubliauskas & Vaidotas Danila, 2020. "Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon Concentration Levels in Different Premises of a University Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-15, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Blesse, Sebastian & Heinemann, Friedrich & Nover, Justus, 2022. "Bundesländerindex Familienunternehmen: Standortfaktoren innerhalb Deutschlands im Vergleich," Studien, Stiftung Familienunternehmen / Foundation for Family Businesses, number 264906.
    2. Lin, Zewei & Wang, Peng & Ren, Songyan & Zhao, Daiqing, 2023. "Economic and environmental impacts of EVs promotion under the 2060 carbon neutrality target—A CGE based study in Shaanxi Province of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).

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