Document Detail


Summertime elevation of 222Rn levels in Huntsville, Alabama.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  1989940     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Indoor Rn concentrations and Rn in adjacent karst terrains were studied at four houses with crawlspaces in Huntsville, AL. In warm summertime weather, Rn-rich air may vent through limestone solution cavities exposed as holes at the surface of the properties. A probable interrelated-finding is that the indoor levels of 222Rn are distinctly higher in the summer than winter. The karst underlying the homes is structurally faulted and, in all probability, facilitates Rn transport from the solution cavities to the crawlspaces. Abrupt day-to-day changes in indoor Rn concentrations were recorded in addition to large seasonal changes. If the owners or residents of these particular homes had attempted to make, and interpret, short-term screening measurements for Rn during the fall season, problems, including false negatives, could have arisen because of order-of-magnitude changes in Rn concentration occurring over a few days. The best time of year to make screening measurements would be during the summer when indoor Rn concentrations are more likely to reach their maximum values.
Authors:
D L Wilson; R B Gammage; C S Dudney; R J Saultz
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Health physics     Volume:  60     ISSN:  0017-9078     ISO Abbreviation:  Health Phys     Publication Date:  1991 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1991-03-01     Completed Date:  1991-03-01     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985093R     Medline TA:  Health Phys     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  189-97     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Measurement Systems Research Group, TN 37831-6383.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
Alabama
Housing*
Radon / analysis*
Seasons*
Weather*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Air Pollutants, Radioactive; 10043-92-2/Radon

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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