Indoor radon, geogenic radon surrogates and geology - Investigations on their correlation.

The indoor radon concentration was measured in most houses in a couple of municipalities in Austria. At the same time the activity concentration of radium in soil, the soil gas radon concentration, the permeability of the ground and the ambient dose equivalent rate were also measured and the geological situations (geological units) were recorded too. From the indoor radon concentration and different house and living parameters a radon potential (Austrian radon potential) was derived which should represent the radon concentration in a standard room. Another radon potential (Neznal radon potential) was calculated from the soil gas radon concentration and the permeability. The aim of the investigation was to correlate all the different variables and to test if the use of surrogate data (e.g. geological information, ambient dose equivalent rate, etc.) can be used to judge the radon risk for an area without performing numerous indoor measurements.

Mitigation of three water supplies with high radon exposure to the employees.

A comprehensive survey to determine the occupational radiation exposure in water supplies and spas was conducted in the federal state of Upper Austria. The study comprises 45 water supplies. The limit for radon exposure of 6 MBq h m(-3) was exceeded by two water supplies (WS 33 and WS 42). In one water supply (WS 29), the level of 2 MBq h m(-3) was exceeded. These water supplies were mitigated. Prior to mitigation the main radon sources were identified. Mitigation measures were: evacuation of the outlet air of the vaporiser by means of a fan, installation of a fan in the exhaust air duct of the compensating reservoir, sealing of drain shafts and mechanical ventilation of the office. In all water supplies, the radon exposure was reduced to below 0.8 MBq h m(-3) at a cost of approx. euro 750 to euro 1000.