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Radon and thoron exhalation rate, emanation factor and radioactivity risks of building materials of the Iberian Peninsula.

ABSTRACT: Radon (²²²Rn) and thoron (²²⁰Rn) are radioactive gases emanating from geological materials. Inhalation of these gases is closely related to an increase in the probability of lung cancer if the levels are high. The majority of studies focus on radon, and the thoron is normally ignored because of its short half-life (55.6 s). However, thoron decay products can also cause a significant increase in dose. In buildings with high radon levels, the main mechanism for entry of radon is pressure-driven flow of soil gas through cracks in the floor. Both radon and thoron can also be released from building materials to the indoor atmosphere. In this work, we study the radon and thoron exhalation and emanation properties of an extended variety of common building materials manufactured in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) but exported and used in all countries of the world. Radon and thoron emission from samples collected in the closed chamber was measured by an active method that uses a continuous radon/thoron monitor. The correlations between exhalation rates of these gases and their parent nuclide exhalation (radium/thorium) concentrations were examined. Finally, indoor radon and thoron and the annual effective dose were calculated from radon/thoron concentrations in the closed chamber. Zircon is the material with the highest concentration values of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th and the exhalation and emanation rates. Also in the case of zircon and some granites, the annual effective dose was higher than the annual exposure limit for the general public of 1 mSv y^-1, recommended by the European regulations.

SUBMITTER: Frutos-Puerto S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7666814 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Radon and thoron exhalation rate, emanation factor and radioactivity risks of building materials of the Iberian Peninsula.

Frutos-Puerto Samuel S Pinilla-Gil Eduardo E Andrade Eva E Reis Mário M Madruga María José MJ Miró Rodríguez Conrado C

PeerJ 20201112

Radon (<sup>222</sup>Rn) and thoron (<sup>220</sup>Rn) are radioactive gases emanating from geological materials. Inhalation of these gases is closely related to an increase in the probability of lung cancer if the levels are high. The majority of studies focus on radon, and the thoron is normally ignored because of its short half-life (55.6 s). However, thoron decay products can also cause a significant increase in dose. In buildings with high radon levels, the main mechanism for entry of radon ...[more]

PMID: 33240648

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Project description:The Iberian Peninsula has been the focus of attention of numerous studies dealing with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation, most of them targeting the control region segment. In the present study we sequenced the control region of 3,024 Spanish individuals from areas where available data were still limited. We also compiled mtDNA haplotypes from the literature involving 4,588 sequences and 28 population groups or small regions. We meta-analyzed all these data in order to shed further light on patterns of geographic variation, taking advantage of the large sample size and geographic coverage, in contrast with the atomized sampling strategy of previous work. The results indicate that the main mtDNA haplogroups show primarily clinal geographic patterns across the Iberian geography, roughly along a North-South axis. Haplogroup HV0 (where haplogroup U is nested) is more prevalent in the Franco Cantabrian region, in good agreement with previous findings that identified this area as a climate refuge during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), prior to a subsequent demographic re-expansion towards Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Typical sub-Saharan and North African lineages are slightly more prevalent in South Iberia, although at low frequencies; this pattern has been shaped mainly by the transatlantic slave trade and the Arab invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. The results also indicate that summary statistics that aim to measure molecular variation, or AMOVA, have limited sensitivity to detect population substructure, in contrast to patterns revealed by phylogeographic analysis. Overall, the results suggest that mtDNA variation in Iberia is substantially stratified. These patterns might be relevant in biomedical studies given that stratification is a common cause of false positives in case-control mtDNA association studies, and should be also considered when weighting the DNA evidence in forensic casework, which is strongly dependent on haplotype frequencies.

Project description:BackgroundRadon is a high impact environmental pollutant and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. Building design, extended winter, and geographical location expose residents of Ottawa-Gatineau (the national capital region in Canada) to an increased risk. It is surprising that residents have an inadequate awareness of the risk - despite its gravity - and have taken minimum preventive actions. This study explores perceptions of radon health risk and examines the factors that enable and hinder the adoption of preventive measures among Ottawa-Gatineau residents.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 residents with varying educational and income levels to inquire about their knowledge and perception of radon, and to explore their views of enablers and obstacles to taking action to reduce radon risks. Thematic, inductive data analysis was undertaken.ResultsThe results indicate that: 1) Residents obtained information on radon from various sources that include the media, their education or occupation, their social network, and home renovation events. Limited references were made to the National Radon Program responsible for testing for radon and informing residents. 2) Awareness of radon risk varied, and the knowledge retained by some residents is insufficient to adequately protect their health. 3) Enablers for taking protective action included: having an understanding of the risk along with health consciousness; caring for family and children; knowing others who had contracted lung cancer and having financial resources. Obstacles consisted of: lack of awareness; cost; lack of home ownership; and potential difficulty in selling the house. 4) Residents attributed primary responsibility to public agencies for disseminating information, and incentivizing or mandating action through more stringent regulation.ConclusionRisk perceptions are subjective, and are influenced by micro and macro level factors. Inducing protective action to reduce risk requires comprehensive interventions taking into account the dual cognitive and emotional aspects of risk perception. Future research may explore the dual aspects of risk perception and examine the contents of the risk communication message. Policy should address the responsibility of both governments and residents in tackling the issue.

Dataset Information

Radon and thoron exhalation rate, emanation factor and radioactivity risks of building materials of the Iberian Peninsula.

Publications

Radon and thoron exhalation rate, emanation factor and radioactivity risks of building materials of the Iberian Peninsula.

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