Pages: 277-281

Authors: Amit Kumar and Rishi Pal Chauhan

Abstract

A radon exhalation study for building materials was carried out by closed accumulator technique using plastic track detector LR-115 type-II, taking into account the effect of back diffusin. The back diffusion of radon into the materials causes an underestimate of free exhalation rates. The results showed that radon exhalation rates of soil, sand, brick powder, and crasher were found to be high as compared to rice husk ash, wall putty, and plaster of Paris. The radon exhalation rates from building materials varied from 0.45 ± 0.07 mBq/kgh to 1.55 ± 0.2 mBq/kgh and 3.4±0.7 mBq/m²h to 28.6 ± 3.8 mBq/m²h as measured without considering back diffusion. The radon exhalation rates of building materials oblivious of back diffusion varied from 4.3 ± 0.8 mBq/m²h to 44.1 ± 5.9 mBq/m²h. The radon exhalation rates from building materials can be used for estimation of radon wall flux and indoor radon concentration. Thus, it is necessary to make correction in the measured exhalation rates by back diffusion.

Key words: radon exhalation, back diffusion, accumulator technique

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