Radon data processing and outputs for the needs of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (according to the Czech Radon Programme)

Much of the population living in the Czech Republic is exposed to radiation from natural sources, especially to the radon effect. The aim of geological research defined by the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS) was to detect areas with estimated high radon concentration in soil gas. A uniform method of measurements and uniform methodology of radon risk category assessment of geological units and a centralized radon database was established. Radon risk classification was based on statistical evaluation of soil gas radon concentration and permeability in investigated geological units. Prognostic radon risk maps in various scales were the main outputs of this research. With the help of GIS tools spatial analyses were found a correlation between soil gas radon values in selected geological units and indoor measurements in dwellings. After verification of the efficiency of track etch detectors placed in dwellings with the help of prognostic maps 75% reliability of these maps was proven. This reliability of analyses induced the SONS to widely use radon risk maps to determine areas with predicted high radon risk category

Radon data processing and outputs for the needs of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (according to the Czech Radon Programme)

Much of the population living in the Czech Republic is exposed to radiation from natural sources, especially to the
 radon effect. The aim of geological research defined by the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS) was to detect
 areas with estimated high radon concentration in soil gas. A uniform method of measurements and uniform methodology
 of radon risk category assessment of geological units and a centralized radon database was established. Radon
 risk classification was based on statistical evaluation of soil gas radon concentration and permeability in investigated
 geological units. Prognostic radon risk maps in various scales were the main outputs of this research. With the
 help of GIS tools spatial analyses were found a correlation between soil gas radon values in selected geological units
 and indoor measurements in dwellings. After verification of the efficiency of track etch detectors placed in dwellings
 with the help of prognostic maps 75% reliability of these maps was proven. This reliability of analyses induced the
 SONS to widely use radon risk maps to determine areas with predicted high radon risk category

Indoor - soil gas radon relationshipin the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex

The relationship of indoor radon measurements and radon in bedrock was studied in the granitoid Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex (CBPC). The indoor data were linked to vectorised geological and radon risk maps using the coordinates of particular dwellings. For each geological unit and rock type it was possible to calculate the statistical characteristics of indoor radon measurements. A clear relationship between indoor radon values and radon in bedrock was confirmed in all 7 districts situated on CBPC, where the study was performed

Indoor - soil gas radon relationshipin the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex

The relationship of indoor radon measurements and radon in bedrock was studied in the granitoid Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex (CBPC). The indoor data were linked to vectorised geological and radon risk maps using the coordinates of particular dwellings. For each geological unit and rock type it was possible to calculate the statistical characteristics of indoor radon measurements. A clear relationship between indoor radon values and radon in bedrock was confirmed in all 7 districts situated on CBPC, where the study was performed

Radon in air and water

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste and that can only be detected with special equipment. It is produced by the radioactive decay of radium, which in turn is derived from the radioactive decay of uranium. Uranium is found in small quantities in all soils and rocks, although the amount varies from place to place. Radon decays to form radioactive particles that can enter the body by inhalation. Inhalation of the short-lived decay products of radon has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing cancers of the respiratory tract, especially of the lungs. Breathing radon in the indoor air of homes contributes to about 15,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States and 1,100 in the UK (HPA 2009). Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths