Search

A pilot study was carried out to measure indoor radon concentrations in a uranium mining area of northern Kazakhstan. A total of 80 places at kindergartens, elementary schools, and dwellings were selected in Aqsu village and Astana city as the uranium mining area and background area for comparison, respectively. In Astana and Aqsu, the 3-month radon concentrations from late summer to autumn in 2022 were measured using the RADUET passive radon detectors. Radon concentrations ranged from 4 to >2000 Bq m -3 (mean ± standard deviation: 290 ± 173 Bq m -3 ) throughout the study areas. The concentrations were higher in Aqsu, and 70% of the dwellings there exceeded 300 Bq m -3 , whereas only 5% of them exceeded 300 Bq m -3 in Astana. Accordingly, the new dose conversion factor for radon recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 137 was applied to calculate the annual effective dose. The annual effective dose from the inhalation of radon was estimated to be 3.6 ± 4.6 mSv y -1 for Astana and 23.7 ± 15.6 mSv y -1 , for Aqsu, which are both higher than the world average value of 2.5 mSv y -1 ., (© 2023 Society for Radiological Protection. Published on behalf of SRP by IOP Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.)

The radon concentration activity in buildings is influenced by various factors, including meteorological elements like temperature, pressure, and precipitation, which are recognized as significant influencers. The fluctuations of indoor radon in premises are related to seasonal change. This study aimed to understand better the effects of environmental parameters on indoor radon concentration levels in the Aksu school. Indoor and outdoor temperature differentials heavily influence diurnal indoor radon patterns. The analysis indicates that the correlation between indoor radon and outdoor temperature, dew point, and air humidity is weak and negligible for atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and precipitation, as determined by the obtained values of R2 and the Chaddock scale. The multiple regression model is characterized by the correlation coefficient rxy = 0.605, which corresponds to a close relationship on the Chaddock scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Kazakhstan is considered a field of uranium, gold mining, copper–molybdenum ore, and other metals. The aims of the current work were to monitor the indoor radon levels in a school and a kindergarten and to determine the levels of teacher and student exposure to radon. High radon concentrations were detected in the school on the first floor at ca. 9600 Bq/m3, on the second floor at ca. 6800 Bq/m3, on the third floor at ca. 4900 Bq/m3, and in the kindergarten, the concentration was ca. 9500 Bq/m3. The annual effective dose of the students and teachers of the school and kindergarten varied from 4 mSv/y to 9 mSv/y, which is an order of magnitude higher than the upper annual dose limit. The excess lifetime cancer risk was 14–20% for students, 31.1% for school and kindergarten staff, and 34.9% for kindergarten children. The indoor radon concentrations varied with weather conditions, and it was evident that ventilation had a significant effect on the reduction in the concentration. At these premises, positive correlations between the radon concentrations, outside temperature, and relative humidity were obtained, showing that the concentration of radon is influenced by meteorological parameters. This study will help to identify buildings where continuous monitoring is needed in order to reduce indoor radon levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]