Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

The Effects of Typical Covering Materials on the Radon Exhalation Rate from Concrete Surfaces

1993; Oxford University Press; Volume: 48; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a081888

1742-3406

K.N. Yu,

Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies

The ability of typical covering materials used in Hong Kong to reduce the radon exhalation rate from concrete surfaces has been studied using EPA standardised activated charcoal canisters and gamma spectroscopy. These covering materials are plastic lined wall paper, plaster, ceramic mosaics and glazed ceramic. It is found that plastic lined wall paper and glazed ceramics can satisfactorily reduce the radon exhalation rates. Considering a concrete room of a typical size for Hong Kong, the possible reduction in the indoor radon concentrations and the corresponding reduction in the internal dose equivalent have been calculated. In doing so, it has been shown that applying some common covering materials to internal building surfaces can be a simple and economical way to mitigate the indoor radon concentrations and the corresponding internal dose. However, care should be taken that the calculated reduction in the indoor radon concentration be treated as an upper limit that is unlikely to be achieved in practice because of other entry routes and sources of radon.