Pages: 174-179

Authors:

Seref Turhan, Serdar Akyurek, Mehmet Erdogan, Asli Kurnaz, and Aydan Altikulac

Abstract

This study presents the results of a survey of radon concentrations in schools (kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, colleges, and one faculty) located in the province of Nevsehir which is the center of the Cappadocia region. Radon measurements covered two consecutive 6-month periods in the ground floor classrooms inside the school buildings and they were performed using a continuous active radon detector (AlphaGUARD PQ2000  PRO).  Data  distribution  is  well  fitted  by  a  log-normal  curve.   The  arithmetic average  value  of the  radon  concentrations  measured  in  summer  and winter was found as 75 ± 12 Bqm^-3 and 67 ± 10 Bqm^-3, respectively. From the measured results, the effective doses from  radon exposures  in  summer  and  winter  were  estimated as 0.27 and 0.40 mSv and 0.24 and 0.36 mSv for students and teachers, respectively. The results showed that radon concentration measured in schools does not pose significant health hazards for students and teachers.

Key words: indoor radon, active technique, AlphaGUARD, annual effective dose, school

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