Radon build-up in a prototype dwelling using uranium mill tailings as construction material.

Even though the use of uranium mill tailings as a construction material is prohibitive such prototype dwellings can be constructed for developing models for the human exposure assessment. Among the potential challenges of uranium mill tailings build-up of radon (²²²Rn) from the tailings pile and subsequent migration following dispersion is assumed significance due to the associated inhalation hazard of its progeny. Sources of such exposure are predominantly considered as the ²²⁶Ra (parent of ²²²Rn) present in the construction material and underlying geophysical characteristics. In the present investigation, a model is developed presuming the use of mill tailings as the construction material of a dwelling (prototype). The numerical model prediction for 1.14 Air Changes per Hour (ACH) reflects that the level can be approximated at 300 Bq m⁻³, a reference level proposed in ICRP recommendation (ICRP 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]