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Development of a Geogenic Radon Hazard Index—Concept, History, Experiences

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Bossew

    (German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), 10318 Berlin, Germany)

  • Giorgia Cinelli

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

  • Giancarlo Ciotoli

    (Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Rome 00015, Italy)

  • Quentin G. Crowley

    (School of Natural Sciences, Geology, Trinity College, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Marc De Cort

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

  • Javier Elío Medina

    (Department of Planning, Aalborg University, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Valeria Gruber

    (Department for Radon and Radioecology, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), 4020 Linz, Austria)

  • Eric Petermann

    (German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), 10318 Berlin, Germany)

  • Tore Tollefsen

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

Abstract

Exposure to indoor radon at home and in workplaces constitutes a serious public health risk and is the second most prevalent cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Indoor radon concentration is to a large extent controlled by so-called geogenic radon, which is radon generated in the ground. While indoor radon has been mapped in many parts of Europe, this is not the case for its geogenic control, which has been surveyed exhaustively in only a few countries or regions. Since geogenic radon is an important predictor of indoor radon, knowing the local potential of geogenic radon can assist radon mitigation policy in allocating resources and tuning regulations to focus on where it needs to be prioritized. The contribution of geogenic to indoor radon can be quantified in different ways: the geogenic radon potential (GRP) and the geogenic radon hazard index (GRHI). Both are constructed from geogenic quantities, with their differences tending to be, but not always, their type of geographical support and optimality as indoor radon predictors. An important feature of the GRHI is consistency across borders between regions with different data availability and Rn survey policies, which has so far impeded the creation of a European map of geogenic radon. The GRHI can be understood as a generalization or extension of the GRP. In this paper, the concepts of GRP and GRHI are discussed and a review of previous GRHI approaches is presented, including methods of GRHI estimation and some preliminary results. A methodology to create GRHI maps that cover most of Europe appears at hand and appropriate; however, further fine tuning and validation remains on the agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Bossew & Giorgia Cinelli & Giancarlo Ciotoli & Quentin G. Crowley & Marc De Cort & Javier Elío Medina & Valeria Gruber & Eric Petermann & Tore Tollefsen, 2020. "Development of a Geogenic Radon Hazard Index—Concept, History, Experiences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:4134-:d:369519
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    1. Alicia Fernández & Carlos Sainz & Santiago Celaya & Luis Quindós & Daniel Rábago & Ismael Fuente, 2021. "A New Methodology for Defining Radon Priority Areas in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Simona Mancini & Martins Vilnitis & Michele Guida, 2021. "A Novel Strategy for the Assessment of Radon Risk Based on Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Mirsina Mousavi Aghdam & Quentin Crowley & Carlos Rocha & Valentina Dentoni & Stefania Da Pelo & Stephanie Long & Maxime Savatier, 2021. "A Study of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radon/Thoron Release Potential of Bedrock and Soil in Southeastern Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Igor Čeliković & Gordana Pantelić & Ivana Vukanac & Jelena Krneta Nikolić & Miloš Živanović & Giorgia Cinelli & Valeria Gruber & Sebastian Baumann & Luis Santiago Quindos Poncela & Daniel Rabago, 2022. "Outdoor Radon as a Tool to Estimate Radon Priority Areas—A Literature Overview," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Francesca Giustini & Livio Ruggiero & Alessandra Sciarra & Stan Eugene Beaubien & Stefano Graziani & Gianfranco Galli & Luca Pizzino & Maria Chiara Tartarello & Carlo Lucchetti & Pietro Sirianni & Pao, 2022. "Radon Hazard in Central Italy: Comparison among Areas with Different Geogenic Radon Potential," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-23, January.

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