New technique for the determination of radon diffusion coefficient in radon-proof membranes.

This paper describes a new device and a method to determine the radon diffusion coefficient in damp-proof membranes developed in the Czech Republic. The main advantage of the device is that it enables tests to be carried out in all the known measuring modes used throughout Europe. Two recently developed computer programs are presented for the numerical modelling of the time-dependent radon transport through damp-proof membranes. According to this method, the radon diffusion coefficient is derived from the process of fitting the numerical solution to the measured curve of radon concentration in a receiver container. Numerical simulation and measured data are also compared. Reasons for disagreements between different methods and specific configurations of the measuring device are also discussed.

Detection properties of a measuring system for a continuous soil radon concentrations monitoring.

The continual soil-gas radon concentration measurements are absolutely crucial for a reliable assessment of radon entry characteristics into the indoor building environment. For this purpose, a new detection system (a continuous monitor RM-3) was developed and tested. The detection principle of the monitoring device is based on an airflow ionisation chamber operating in a current mode. A comprehensive series of testing and calibration experiments have been carried out in a laboratory environment. An output signal of the device caused by the radon concentration in a sensitive detection volume significantly depends on a detector ventilation rate, the gas flow rate through the ionisation chamber. A set of calibration experiments was accomplished with the artificial radon source application and close circuit experimental arrangements. The system detection properties including applied experimental conditions and key results of pilot in situ measurements are reported in detail.

RADON CONCENTRATION IN THE AREA OF WASTE ROCK DUMPS, BROD, CR-CASE STUDY.

There are ~7000 mining waste storage facilities including waste rock dumps in the Czech Republic. One of the radiation protection present subjects is a health impact estimation of the huge mass of material in waste rock dumps left after uranium mining. In this document are presented selected results of waste rock dump long-term monitoring in the area of shaft No. 15 (Pribram, CR) and its estimated health impact to the representative person in a village Brod. The external irradiation was estimated based on in situ gamma spectrometry measurement results and on a Monte Carlo model and it turned out to be negligible (tens µSv), while the internal irradiation (RAMARN, ALGADE Environmental and RAMONIS detection systems) is more significant. The estimated total annual effective dose for representative person is mainly caused by indoor radon inhalation. The maximum outdoor radon concentration in summer season was measured during night hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and could reach thousands Bq/m3. The average indoor concentration measured in randomly selected houses was 450 Bq/m3. The radon exhalation rate was 35-40 mBq m-2 s-1.

THE NRPI MULTI-PURPOSE ON-LINE MONITORING STATION FOR MEASUREMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN THE AMBIENT ATMOSPHERE AND IN THE SOIL.

During years 2010-12 an automated, on-line and wireless outdoor measurement station of atmospheric radon, gamma dose rate and meteorological parameters was realised at the National Radiation Protection Institute (NRPI) in Prague. At the turn of the year 2013 an expansion of the existing station was completed. Under the project funded by the Czech Technological Agency a new updated station was established, additionally equipped with modules for measurement of atmospheric radon/thoron short-lived decay products, radon in water and soil and radon exhalation rate from soil. After the introduction of the station updated key detection parameters and benefits, its use for atmospheric modelling and monitoring is demonstrated. There are summarised results from the 3-year measurement period in the NRPI outdoor area in Prague and from simultaneous annual measurement performed by another similar station located near uranium mud fields in DIAMO, state enterprise, Stráz pod Ralskem. Observed seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric radon concentrations and variability of the equilibrium factor, F, are illustrated and compared.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION: STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES.

Radiological protection is a matter of concern for members of the public and thus national authorities are more likely to trust the quality of radioactivity data provided by accredited laboratories using common standards. Normative approach based on international standards aims to ensure the accuracy or validity of the test result through calibrations and measurements traceable to the International System of Units. This approach guarantees that radioactivity test results on the same types of samples are comparable over time and space as well as between different testing laboratories. Today, testing laboratories involved in radioactivity measurement have a set of more than 150 international standards to help them perform their work. Most of them are published by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This paper reviews the most essential ISO standards that give guidance to testing laboratories at different stages from sampling planning to the transmission of the test report to their customers, summarizes recent activities and achievements and present the perspectives on new standards under development by the ISO Working Groups dealing with radioactivity measurement in connection with radiological protection.

The overview of the radon and environmental characteristics measurements in the Czech show caves.

This paper focuses on the measurement and assessment of absorbed doses of radiation in caves of the Czech Republic, some of which exhibit high activity concentration of radon in air. Presented is an analysis and recommendations based on measurement results obtained in the underground caves over the past 12 y. The most important results for cave environments were as follows: integral radon monitoring using RAMARN detectors can provide more consistent results for calculating the effective dose; no major differences were shown in the average radon activity concentration during working time as opposed to non-working time; the unattached fraction of radioactive particles in air ranged from 0.03 to 0.6, with arithmetical average fp = 0.13; the direct dependence between equilibrium factor F and the size of the unattached fraction fp was described using the Log-Power expression ln(1/fp) = a*ln(1/F)(b); the calculated values for coefficients a and b were 1.85 and -1.096, respectively. The individual cave factor for each investigated underground area was calculated.

Radon entry rate analyses using in situ tracer gas method application.

Recently, the role of energy savings in indoor air quality deterioration has been extensively emphasised, predominantly in the context of significant air exchange rate reduction as a result of home energy retrofits. In case of refurbishment of existing buildings, the effect of energy-efficient technologies on indoor radon concentration is considerably complex and has to be carefully evaluated with respect to radon entry rate (RER) and air exchange rate alteration. For the purpose of detailed analysis of radon entry pathways, the unique infiltration experiment has been carried out using the tracer gas (N2O) method application in field conditions. Significant amount of experimental works has been done to provide an independent assessment of RER and air-exchange rate facilitating the analysis of fundamental factors influencing the indoor radon variations (e.g. indoor-outdoor pressure difference induced by wind, stack effect, heating, ventilation and operation of air-conditioning systems).

Field tests using radioactive matter 2.

Results of field tests with explosive dispersal of a radioactive substance (RaS) are presented. The paper deals with tests exploiting artificial obstacles as a continuation and expansion of the tests used in this study performed in free area described previously. The essential goal of the tests was to estimate the distribution of the released RaS in the case of intentional abuse of radioactive sources and to get a set of data applicable to testing physical or mathematical models of propagation. Effects of different geometrical and meteorological conditions on the distribution of dispersed RaS were studied via the assessment of dose rate, surface and volume activities, aerosol mass and activity aerodynamic diameters. The principal results can be summarised as follows: the prevalent proportion of the activity of the radionuclide dispersed by an explosion (born by the blast wave and by air convection) is transferred to the detection system/collecting pads essentially within the first minute. Enhanced aerosol mass concentrations were also detected within the same period. The RaS carried by the blast wave passed through the polygon (50 m) within <1 s. An expected crucial impact of meteorological conditions at the moment of the explosion and shortly after was proved by the tests.

Indoor and soil gas radon simultaneous measurements for the purpose of detail analysis of radon entry pathways into houses.

Detailed knowledge of radon transport mechanisms from the subsoil into the indoor environment is essential for the correct interpretation of results of short-term indoor radon measurements and for proper and effective design of radon mitigation systems. Radon transfer factor time variations have been studied based on simultaneous continuous indoor and soil gas radon measurements within the framework of complex radon diagnosis of individual buildings. In this context, the key influencing factors have been identified and analysed in order to provide satisfactory explanation on radon entry variations under different measurement conditions. Moreover, a new significant manner of radon entry into the indoor environment has been identified and will be discussed in detail.

A pilot study of the dependence of radon concentration on the tectonic structures, using simple geophysical methods.

It is well known that there are great variations in radon concentrations in the soil gas on building sites. The concentration may sometimes vary by more than two orders of magnitude. The tectonic structure of the bedrock is one of the factors that influence the intensity of the radon outflow. The simple ARES geophysical method [automatic resistivity system--main unit with standard accessories, multi-electrode cable sections (MCS5)--eight electrodes per 5 m spacing] was used in various modes (Schlumberger, Dipole-Dipole and Pole-Dipole arrays) for in situ tectonic structure determination. The radon concentration in the soil gas was measured using the same network as for the resistivity measurements. The radon measurements were also followed up by in situ gamma spectrometry measurements. The behaviour of the radon concentration in the soil gas was correlated with the detected tectonic non-homogeneities. This pilot study opened up new questions for future analysis.

Significance of independent radon entry rate and air exchange rate assessment for the purpose of radon mitigation effectiveness proper evaluation: case studies.

Two new single-family houses identified as insufficient with regard to existing radon barrier efficiency, have been selected for further examination. A complex set of radon diagnosis procedures has been applied in order to localise and quantify radon entry pathways into the indoor environment. Independent assessment of radon entry rate and air exchange rate has been carried out using the continuous indoor radon measurement and a specific tracer gas application. Simultaneous assessment of these key determining factors has turned out to be absolutely crucial in the context of major cause identification of elevated indoor radon concentration.