logo

IN-SITU MEASUREMENTS OF RADON EXHALATION RATE FROM BUILDING SURFACE IN HONG KONG

IN-SITU MEASUREMENTS OF RADON EXHALATION RATE FROM BUILDING SURFACE IN HONG KONG

K.N. Yu
Guan Zujie
E.C.M. Young
M. J. Stokes
Nuclear Science and TechniquesVol.4, No.3pp.176-180Published in print 01 Aug 1993
28300

EPA-standardized activated charcoal canisters were used to collect radon exhaled from building surfaces and analyzed using γ-spectroscopy to obtain the radon exhalation rates. More than 120 samples were analyzed in more than 10 buildings situated in different areas of Hong Kong. Variations were identified in the exhalation rates at different levels in a building, for different covering materials and for the presence of cracks in walls. The radon exhalation rate from the most common concrete walls and covering materials was found to be approximately 13 mBq • m-2 • s-1. This may be the cause of a relatively high indoor radon concentration in Hong Kong.

Charcoal canistersRadon exhalation rateBuilding surfacesBuilding materials
REFERENCES
1 Yu K N, Young E C M, Stokes M J et al. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 1992; 40: 259
2 Guan Z J, Yu K N, Young E C M, Stokes M J. Nucl Sci Techniq, 1993; 4(3): 151
3 Yu K N, Guan Z J, Young E C M et al. J Environ Radioact, 1992; 17: 31
4 Jonassen N. Health Physics, 1983; 45: 369
5 Culot M V J, Olson H G, Schiager K J. Health Physics, 1976; 30: 263
6 Lin Liangqing, Wen Huifen, Ma Guanxun. Radiation Protection (in Chinese), 1988; 8: 166
7 Cohen B L, Cohen E S. Health Physics, 1983; 45: 501
8 US EPA, 52015-87-005, 1987
9 Nucleus Inc., Radon counting system operating instructions, 1988
10 UNSCEAR Report, 1982: 142
11 Stranden E, Berteic L. Health Physics, 1980; 39: 275