Zabihollah Yousefi, Kazem Naddafi, Reza Ali Mohamadpur Tahamtan, Mohammad Ali Zazouli, Zohre Koushki,
Volume 24, Issue 113 (6-2014)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Radon is a colorless inert gas which decay products are the main component of natural radioactive elements that are naturally produced in under layers of earth crust by decay of radium and uranium. It enters through buildings via gaps and cracks. Alpha particle emissions as a radon gas decay product can increase the incidence of lung cancer in human. Every person spends 65 to 95 percent of his life in closed environments, therefore, elevated concentrations of radon could negatively influence human health. This study aimed at measuring the indoor radon concentration in the dwelling of Gorgan and compare it with EPA standards.
Material and Methods: The indoor radon concentration was measured in 212 homes in Gorgan using solid-state nuclear track detectors (CR-39). Each CR-39 detector was mounted 50-90 cm from the bottom bedroom and living rooms, away from doors and windows. After about three months of exposure, the detectors were collected and transported to the laboratory. In next step, they were etched in 6.25N NaOH solutions at 85 C˚ for three hours. Finally, track densities were analyzed using an optical microscope scanning system.
Results: The radon concentration in three percent of the houses was found higher than 148 Bq/m3 receipted by EPA as the action level.
Conclusion: The result of this study could be used in mapping of national radon level.
Hossin Farrokhzadeh, Negar Jafari, Mojtaba Sadeghi, Maryam Talesh Alipour, Mohammad Mehdi Amin, Ali Abdolahnejad,
Volume 28, Issue 159 (4-2018)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Air pollution is one of the most important environmental issues and its impact on human health has been proven in the 20th century. Many air pollutants such as CO, NO2, SO2, O3, particulate matter (PM10), heavy metals, radon, etc. could have negative health effects. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of PM10, lead, and radon in the air of Spahanshahr, Isfahan, Iran.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the summer of 2015. Sampling was performed using fiberglass filters by High volume sampler. Analysis of PM10, lead, and radon was carried out by weight discrepancy, ICP device, and CR- 39 detector, respectively. Geographic information system v10 and Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) were used for interpolation and the spatial distribution of mean concentrations of pollutants in the stations. Data analysis was done in SPSS V16.
Results: The mean concentrations of PM10, lead, and radon were 57.07±33.07 µg/m3, 0.41±0.23 µg/m3, and 466.78±86.92 (Bq/m3), respectively. The concentration of PM10, lead, and radon in most sampling stations were higher than the WHO and EPA recommendations. The highest concentration of PM10, lead, and radon was observed in the Southeast, West, and West of the study area.
Conclusion: This investigation showed that the high concentration of particulate matter in the Southeast of study area was mainly due to the vicinity of the confluence of two main highways in Isfahan and construction activities of the commercial center. But high concentrations of lead and radon in West Region and in stations near the lead mine could be due to the mining activities and the direction of the prevailing winds in summer (West-East).
