Assessment of annual effective dose and health risk due to radon exposure in nurseries in the city of Poznań, Poland.

The results of the scientific work presented in the World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicate that exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer in humans. In the past, radon concentrations of 400 Bq/m³ were considered dangerous, but today the level that poses a threat has been lowered to 100 Bq/m³. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ionising radiation. In the article, the exposure of children to the effects of radon was evaluated on the basis of measurements in nurseries taken in the course of several months. A pulsed ionisation chamber with a passive diffusion sampling method was used for the measurements. The effective dose was assumed as the evaluation criterion. The research was carried out in selected rooms of two nurseries located in the city of Poznań in Poland. Similar profiles of variability in radon concentration (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) were observed in two different nurseries. The higher values of radon concentration in the rooms were found to be influenced by the low value of the wind speed. The experimental studies were supplemented with questionnaire studies, which showed that the average person's awareness of radioactivity is at a low level. The results of the effective dose level can be used to optimise future radon testing in buildings intended for various purposes. [Display omitted] • Public awareness of radioactivity is at a relatively low level. • IAQ studies should take into account the variability of radon over time. • Annual variability of radon depends on the building, its use profile, and location. • Radon measurements with active meters are recommended for public buildings. • Higher indoor radon values will be influenced by low wind speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]