Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the mos... more Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the most important contribution to dose from natural sources of radiation. Most studies have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer at high concentration of radon for both smokers and nonsmokers. The work presents a comparative analysis of the radon exposure data in the two radon-prone areas, Ştei, Transylvania, (Romania), in the near of old Romanian uranium mines and in the granitic area of Torrelodones town, Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). Measurements of indoor radon were performed in 280 dwellings (Romania) and 91 dwellings (Spain) by using nuclear track detectors, CR 39. The highest value measured in Ştei area was 2650 Bq m − 3 and 366 Bq m − 3 in the Spanish region. The results are computed with the BEIR VI report estimates using the age-duration model at an exposure rate below 2650 Bq m − 3 . We used the EC Radon Software to calculate the lifetime lung cancer death risks for individuals groups in function of attained age, radon exposures and tobacco consumption. A total of 233 lung cancer deaths were observed in the Ştei area for a period of 13 years (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), which is 116.82% higher than expected from the national statistics. In addition, the number of deaths estimated for the year 2005 is 28, which is worth more than 2.21 times the amount expected by authorities. In comparison, for Torrelodones was rated a number of 276 deaths caused by lung cancer for a period of 13 years, which is 2.09 times higher than the number expected by authorities.
In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 point... more In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226 Ra concentration in soil.
concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without... more concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without additional aerosol sources, with Z < 4 10 3 particle cm -3 .In this work the results of the first stage of radon measurement program carried out in 10 caves located in the region of Cantabria (Spain) are presented. Additionally in two of them the results concerning particle concentration, continuous radon measurements and their implications in dose calculations are discussed.
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2003
Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of... more Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of radon in the environment including those developed in the laboratory for evaluation of radon diffusion coefficients of radon barriers, radon emanation powers in small samples of porous materials and radon concentrations in small chambers used for different research studies. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of an improved and practical scintillation cell developed in our laboratory. Experimental efficiency values obtained for different cell volumes ranged between 0.038 and 0.123 cpm/Bq/m 3 . The effects of atmospheric pressure on the detection efficiency as a function of the diameter of the cell were also studied. In general, a decrease of 15% was observed when increasing the pressure from 827 to 1013 hPa. r
Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the mos... more Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the most important contribution to dose from natural sources of radiation. Most studies have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer at high concentration of radon for both smokers and nonsmokers. The work presents a comparative analysis of the radon exposure data in the two radon-prone areas, Ştei, Transylvania, (Romania), in the near of old Romanian uranium mines and in the granitic area of Torrelodones town, Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). Measurements of indoor radon were performed in 280 dwellings (Romania) and 91 dwellings (Spain) by using nuclear track detectors, CR 39. The highest value measured in Ştei area was 2650 Bq m − 3 and 366 Bq m − 3 in the Spanish region. The results are computed with the BEIR VI report estimates using the age-duration model at an exposure rate below 2650 Bq m − 3 . We used the EC Radon Software to calculate the lifetime lung cancer death risks for individuals groups in function of attained age, radon exposures and tobacco consumption. A total of 233 lung cancer deaths were observed in the Ştei area for a period of 13 years (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), which is 116.82% higher than expected from the national statistics. In addition, the number of deaths estimated for the year 2005 is 28, which is worth more than 2.21 times the amount expected by authorities. In comparison, for Torrelodones was rated a number of 276 deaths caused by lung cancer for a period of 13 years, which is 2.09 times higher than the number expected by authorities.
In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 point... more In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226 Ra concentration in soil.
concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without... more concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without additional aerosol sources, with Z < 4 10 3 particle cm -3 .In this work the results of the first stage of radon measurement program carried out in 10 caves located in the region of Cantabria (Spain) are presented. Additionally in two of them the results concerning particle concentration, continuous radon measurements and their implications in dose calculations are discussed.
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2003
Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of... more Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of radon in the environment including those developed in the laboratory for evaluation of radon diffusion coefficients of radon barriers, radon emanation powers in small samples of porous materials and radon concentrations in small chambers used for different research studies. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of an improved and practical scintillation cell developed in our laboratory. Experimental efficiency values obtained for different cell volumes ranged between 0.038 and 0.123 cpm/Bq/m 3 . The effects of atmospheric pressure on the detection efficiency as a function of the diameter of the cell were also studied. In general, a decrease of 15% was observed when increasing the pressure from 827 to 1013 hPa. r
Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the mos... more Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the most important contribution to dose from natural sources of radiation. Most studies have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer at high concentration of radon for both smokers and nonsmokers. The work presents a comparative analysis of the radon exposure data in the two radon-prone areas, Ştei, Transylvania, (Romania), in the near of old Romanian uranium mines and in the granitic area of Torrelodones town, Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). Measurements of indoor radon were performed in 280 dwellings (Romania) and 91 dwellings (Spain) by using nuclear track detectors, CR 39. The highest value measured in Ştei area was 2650 Bq m − 3 and 366 Bq m − 3 in the Spanish region. The results are computed with the BEIR VI report estimates using the age-duration model at an exposure rate below 2650 Bq m − 3 . We used the EC Radon Software to calculate the lifetime lung cancer death risks for individuals groups in function of attained age, radon exposures and tobacco consumption. A total of 233 lung cancer deaths were observed in the Ştei area for a period of 13 years (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), which is 116.82% higher than expected from the national statistics. In addition, the number of deaths estimated for the year 2005 is 28, which is worth more than 2.21 times the amount expected by authorities. In comparison, for Torrelodones was rated a number of 276 deaths caused by lung cancer for a period of 13 years, which is 2.09 times higher than the number expected by authorities.
In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 point... more In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226 Ra concentration in soil.
concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without... more concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without additional aerosol sources, with Z < 4 10 3 particle cm -3 .In this work the results of the first stage of radon measurement program carried out in 10 caves located in the region of Cantabria (Spain) are presented. Additionally in two of them the results concerning particle concentration, continuous radon measurements and their implications in dose calculations are discussed.
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2003
Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of... more Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of radon in the environment including those developed in the laboratory for evaluation of radon diffusion coefficients of radon barriers, radon emanation powers in small samples of porous materials and radon concentrations in small chambers used for different research studies. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of an improved and practical scintillation cell developed in our laboratory. Experimental efficiency values obtained for different cell volumes ranged between 0.038 and 0.123 cpm/Bq/m 3 . The effects of atmospheric pressure on the detection efficiency as a function of the diameter of the cell were also studied. In general, a decrease of 15% was observed when increasing the pressure from 827 to 1013 hPa. r
Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the mos... more Radon and radon progeny are present indoors, in houses and others dwellings, representing the most important contribution to dose from natural sources of radiation. Most studies have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer at high concentration of radon for both smokers and nonsmokers. The work presents a comparative analysis of the radon exposure data in the two radon-prone areas, Ştei, Transylvania, (Romania), in the near of old Romanian uranium mines and in the granitic area of Torrelodones town, Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). Measurements of indoor radon were performed in 280 dwellings (Romania) and 91 dwellings (Spain) by using nuclear track detectors, CR 39. The highest value measured in Ştei area was 2650 Bq m − 3 and 366 Bq m − 3 in the Spanish region. The results are computed with the BEIR VI report estimates using the age-duration model at an exposure rate below 2650 Bq m − 3 . We used the EC Radon Software to calculate the lifetime lung cancer death risks for individuals groups in function of attained age, radon exposures and tobacco consumption. A total of 233 lung cancer deaths were observed in the Ştei area for a period of 13 years (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), which is 116.82% higher than expected from the national statistics. In addition, the number of deaths estimated for the year 2005 is 28, which is worth more than 2.21 times the amount expected by authorities. In comparison, for Torrelodones was rated a number of 276 deaths caused by lung cancer for a period of 13 years, which is 2.09 times higher than the number expected by authorities.
In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 point... more In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226 Ra concentration in soil.
concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without... more concentration. The f p values can be higher than 0.1, for places with low ventilation and without additional aerosol sources, with Z < 4 10 3 particle cm -3 .In this work the results of the first stage of radon measurement program carried out in 10 caves located in the region of Cantabria (Spain) are presented. Additionally in two of them the results concerning particle concentration, continuous radon measurements and their implications in dose calculations are discussed.
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2003
Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of... more Scintillation cells like ''Modified Lucas cells'' are widely used for grab-sample measurements of radon in the environment including those developed in the laboratory for evaluation of radon diffusion coefficients of radon barriers, radon emanation powers in small samples of porous materials and radon concentrations in small chambers used for different research studies. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of an improved and practical scintillation cell developed in our laboratory. Experimental efficiency values obtained for different cell volumes ranged between 0.038 and 0.123 cpm/Bq/m 3 . The effects of atmospheric pressure on the detection efficiency as a function of the diameter of the cell were also studied. In general, a decrease of 15% was observed when increasing the pressure from 827 to 1013 hPa. r
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