Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access")
Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (3)
- Zeitschriftenartikel (1)
- Vortrag (1)
Sprache
- Englisch (5)
Schlagworte
- Radon measurement (5) (entfernen)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (1)
Compared to the designated European upper reference level of 300 Bq m-3 for indoor radon concentrations, the contribution of building materials appears to be low. Taking into account the recommended limit of 100 Bq m-3 by WHO as well as the increased dose conversion factor, the contribution of building products is quite relevant, especially at low air change rates. Therefore in Germany a maximum contribution of building materials to the indoor radon concentration of 20 Bq m-3 is discussed.
Because measurements of low concentrations are associated with high uncertainties, radon exhalation rates are often determined in chambers without air exchange and indoor conditions are extrapolated.
This study investigated the suitability of direct low level radon measurement under simulated indoor conditions with commercially available instruments, based on the preliminary EU standard for the determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from building materials in test chambers.
Measurements are possible with a relative uncertainty ranging from 7 to 18 %. Four major problems were identified:
1. Detector sensitivity: Two of four instruments were identified to determine low radon concentrations in a sufficiently short measuring time.
2. Thoron discrimination: Thoron was discriminated by aging the sampled air in a hose before the detector.
3. Sampling setup: An external chamber measurement was feasible as long as all main system parts were under slight overpressure.
4. Blank value: For VOC-emission testing ambient air, conditioned by filtration and sorption, is used to generate an air exchange. Regarding radon, this treatment is non-effective. If all instrument background levels have been characterized, the blank value must be measured with a second detector in parallel.
Compared to the designated European upper reference level of 300 Bq/m³ for indoor radon concentrations, the contribution of building materials appears to be low. Taking into account the recommended limit of 100 Bq/m³ by WHO as well as the increased dose conversion factor, the contribution of building products is quite relevant, especially at low air change rates. Therefore in Germany a maximum contribution of building materials to the indoor radon concentration of 20 Bq/m³ is discussed.
Because measurements of low concentrations are associated with high uncertainties, radon exhalation rates are often determined in chambers without air exchange and indoor conditions are extrapolated.
This study investigated the suitability of direct low level radon measurement under simulated indoor conditions with commercially available instruments, based on the preliminary EU standard for the determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from building materials in test chambers.
Measurements are possible with a relative uncertainty ranging from 7 to 18%. Four major problems were identified:
1. Detector sensitivity: Two of four instruments were identified to determine low radon concentrations in a sufficiently short measuring time.
2. Thoron discrimination: Thoron was discriminated by aging the sampled air in a hose before the detector.
3. Sampling setup: An external chamber measurement was feasible as long as all main system parts were under slight overpressure.
4. Blank value: For VOC-emission testing ambient air, conditioned by filtration and sorption, is used to generate an air exchange. Regarding radon, this treatment is non-effective. If all instrument background levels have been characterized, the blank value must be measured with a second detector in parallel.
The inhalation of radon (222Rn) decay products is the leading cause of lung cancer apart from tobacco smoking. Besides the permeation of radon from the subsoil through the basement as main source of radon in indoor air, also building materials have to be taken into consideration, especially at low air change rates in buildings. The Construction Products Regulation (EC, 2010) gives essential requirements for construction works regarding the release of dangerous substances such as toxic gases and radiation to which radon can be assigned. The recently adopted Basic Safety Standards Directive (EC, 2013), which has to be ratified by each European member state in between the next three years sets reference levels for indoor radon concentrations for the first time. In research project financed by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety a practical, reliable and easily applicable test procedure for the determination of radon exhalation from building materials – based on ISO 16000-9 (ISO, 2006) and CEN/TS 16516 (CEN, 2013) – should be developed. In contrast to the static test procedure published by Richter et al. (2013), dynamically operated test chambers shall be foregrounded. First results of this study are presented, focused on the reliable measurement of radon background concentration and the selection of suitable radon test devices, representing the basic elements of the subsequent work.
Determination of radon exhalation rates from construction materials using VOC emission test chambers
(2013)
Determination of radon exhalation from construction materials using VOC emission test chambers
(2013)
The inhalation of 222Rn (radon) decay products is one of the most important reasons for lung cancer after smoking. Stony building materials are an important source of indoor radon. This article describes the determination of the exhalation rate of stony construction materials by the use of commercially available measuring devices in combination with VOC emission test chambers. Five materials – two types of clay brick, clinker brick, light-weight concrete brick, and honeycomb brick – generally used for wall constructions were used for the experiments. Their contribution to real room concentrations was estimated by applying room model parameters given in ISO 16000-9, RP 112, and AgBB. This knowledge can be relevant, if for instance indoor radon concentration is limited by law. The test set-up used here is well suited for application in test laboratories dealing with VOC emission testing.