Measurement and Determination of Radon Source Potential: A Literature Review.
Measurement and Determination of Radon Source Potential:
A Literature Review.
(14772 K)
Tanner, A. B.
NISTIR 5399; 196 p. April 1994.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB94-165602
Keywords:
building technology; diffusion; indoor radon;
permeability; predictive methods; pressure-driven flow;
radium activity concentration; radon availability; radon
potential mapping; site-specific characterization; soil
testing
Abstract:
Radon source potential may be estimated for areas of a
nation, state, county, housing development, or building
lot. The critical characteristics of the soil are its
radium concentration, emanation coefficient,
permeability to gas, and diffusion coefficient for radon
under typical conditions. Best estimates of these
critical characteristics are applied to a scheme for
obtaining a tiered ranking of subareas of the area of
interest (radon potential mapping), or to a model for
obtaining a single qualitative or quantitative estimate
of the radon source potential of a single site
(site-specific characterization). This report
summarizes and evaluates available information on radon
potential mapping and site-specific characterization.
More than 100 reports have been found that bear on radon
potential mapping, and indicate fair to good agreement
with indoor radon results where correlations have been
possible. Because site-specific characterization is not
generally cost effective, it has not been extensively
tested; however, it can readily discriminate the order
of magnitude of indoor radon concentration to be
expected in the absence of special measures to prevent
radon infiltration. Several situations are proposed as
being appropriate for its use.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899