The Fifth Conference “ Nuclear Science and Its Application”, 14-17 October 2008
EFFECTS AND MANAGEMENT OF RADON EXPOSURE IN AIR
B.ATAKSOR. N. ÇELEBÎ, N. ALBAYRAK, H. TAŞKIN
Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Center Îstanbul-TURKEY bema.ataksor@taek.gov.tr
Radon is a natural radioactive gas arising from the uranium decay chain, and can enter houses from the ground. High radon exposure has been shown to cause lung cancer. Many governments and international bodies have therefore recommended that radon exposure in houses should be limited. Radon levels in houses vary widely from area to area depending on local geology. The risk that someone exposed to radon will develop lung cancer depends on the total exposure over many years. The measurements of radon in air are separated into three categories, instantaneous, continuous or time-averaged methods. Ionization chambers and scintillation cells are utilized primarily for instantaneous or grab samples, but may be modified to accommodate continuous measurements. Passive methods to detect radon are popular since large-scale environmental surveys require that a detector be located in a suitable location for extended periods of time in order to assess annual exposure. The study in CNAEM resulted in approximately 500 homes inspected with respect to radon levels using solid state nuclear track detectors (CR-39). The radon activity concentration levels ranges from 5-370 Bq.mr3, below the accepted value of 400 Bq.m'3.
Section III. Radiation Ecology 103
