Merits and demerits of different methods for radon exhalation measurements for building materials

With an increase in the awareness of the need to save energy, residents tend to live in dwellings with increasingly tight windows and doors, thus reducing the ventilation rate of indoor air which leads to an increased accumulation of radon indoors. Having in mind that a dose from an exposure to inhaled radon and its progenies can be higher than a dose received from radium in building materials, it is suggested that radon exhalation measurements should receive due attention. In this contribution, the authors compare results gathered using a few methods for radon exhalation measurement and discuss its merits and demerits

Numerical simulation of temperature field in the vertical bridgman method crystal growth

The mathematical model for heat transfer during the Bridgeman crystal growth, using the finite element method and the obtained result are presented. Some modifications to the method were introduced in order to incorporate the data obtained experimentally. Solving the model enabled comparison of the experimental and numerical data and to obtain sufficient accuracy. The model was used to calculate the temperature gradient in the sample and the calculated gradient was in accordance with the observed crystal growth regime

Novel method of measurement of radon exhalation from building materials

In the era of the energy saving policy (i.e. more air tight doors and windows), the radon exhaled from building materials tends to increase its concentration in indoor air, which increases the importance of the measurement of radon exhalation from building materials. This manuscript presents a novel method of the radon exhalation measurement using only a HPGe detector or any other gamma spectrometer. Comparing it with the already used methods of radon exhalation measurements, this method provides the measurement of the emanation coefficient, the radon diffusion length and the radon exhalation rate, all within the same measurement, which additionally defines materials radon protective properties. Furthermore it does not necessitate additional equipment for radon or radon exhalation measurement, which simplifies measurement technique, and thus potentially facilitates introduction of legal obligation for radon exhalation determination in building materials. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Ad-hoc intercomparison of four different radon exhalation measurement methods

It is indicated that the exposure to radon originating from the building materials is not negligible and the radon exhalation measurement should get more attention in the future. The experience with four different methods of the exhalation measurement, established in our laboratory for the purpose of the intercomparison is reported. Additionally, a comparison of advantages and disadvantages of used methods is discussed

The Evolutionary Policy Maker

Prikazan je pregled najnovijeg gama metoda za merenje ekshalacije radona iz građevinskih materijala, koji pored ekshalacije omogućava merenje faktora emanacije i merenje difuzione dužine radona u datom materijalu, što nije moguće u standardnim merenjima ekshalacije radona. Takođe su prikazana i još tri standardna metoda merenja ekshalacije radona i dato je uporedno objašnjene prednosti i mana ovih metoda. Biće dat i pregled dosadašnjih merenja u Srbiji.A review of a new radon exhalation measurement method is presented. This method provides also a measurement of the radon diffusion length and the radon emanation coefficient, which is not possible by standard radon exhalation measurement methods. Besides, three standard radon exhalation measurements are presented: closed chamber with an active instrument, closed chamber with a solid state nuclear track detector and a charcoal canister method. An intercomparison of advantages and disadvantages is also given. A short review of previous measurements of radon exhalation from comercial building materials in Serbia will be given in the presentation