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Radon and Its Short-Lived Products in Indoor Air: Present Status and Perspectives

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  • Janja Vaupotič

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Initially, basic equations are given to express the activity concentrations and concentrations of potential α-energies of radon ( 222 Rn) and thoron ( 220 Tn) and their short-lived products in indoor air. The appearance of short-lived products as a radioactive aerosol is shown, and the fraction of the unattached products is particularly exposed, a key datum in radon dosimetry. This fundamental part is followed by giving the sources of radon and thoron indoors, and thus, their products, and displaying the dependence of their levels on the ground characteristics, building material and practice, and living–working habits of residents. Substantial hourly, daily, and seasonal changes in their activity concentrations are reviewed, as influenced by meteorological parameters (air temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed) and human activity (either by ventilation, air conditioning and air filtration, or by generating aerosol particles). The role of the aerosol particle concentration and their size distribution in the dynamics of radon products in indoor air has been elucidated, focusing on the fraction of unattached products. Intensifying combined monitoring of radon short-lived products and background aerosol would improve radon dosimetry approaches in field and laboratory experiments. A profound knowledge of the influence of meteorological parameters and human activities on the dynamics of the behaviour of radon and thoron accompanied by their products in the air is a prerequisite to managing sustainable indoor air quality and human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Janja Vaupotič, 2024. "Radon and Its Short-Lived Products in Indoor Air: Present Status and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-42, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2424-:d:1357122
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mateja Dovjak & Ožbej Vene & Janja Vaupotič, 2022. "Analysis of Ventilation Efficiency as Simultaneous Control of Radon and Carbon Dioxide Levels in Indoor Air Applying Transient Modelling," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Austin L. Mitchell & W. Michael Griffin & Elizabeth A. Casman, 2016. "Lung Cancer Risk from Radon in Marcellus Shale Gas in Northeast U.S. Homes," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(11), pages 2105-2119, November.
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