Structural dependence of diurnal fluctuations of radon progeny in residential buildings
Abstract
Movement of radon progeny inside houses is a complex process that depends both on atmospheric conditions and on building structure. The indoor working level (WL) monitored in four houses of differing structures shows regular diurnal fluctuations related to solar warming of the atmosphere. In the two houses with full basements, radon is removed by indoor/outdoor pressure-driven airflow, and basement WL varies inversely with outdoor temperature. In the two houses with half basements open to crawl spaces, radon is drawn into the basement faster than it is removed, so that basement WL varies directly with outside temperature. Average WL's in basements are about twice as high as first floor WL's and as much as 18 times as high as outdoor WL's. Each house shows an individual pattern of radon progeny movement throughout the building.
Department(s)
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1992.10467006
Publication Date
4-1-1992
Recommended Citation
Sheets, Ralph W. "Structural dependence of diurnal fluctuations of radon progeny in residential buildings." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 42, no. 4 (1992): 457-459.
Journal Title
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association