Effects of negative ion generators on radon- and thoron-progeny concentrations in an occupied residence

Abstract

Operation of negative ion generators in three rooms of an occupied residence caused decreases in indoor concentrations of the radon decay products218Po,214Pb and214Bi, and of the thoron progeny212Pb. Activity levels of212Pb were lowered more than those of214Pb, resulting in a decrease in the potential alpha energy concentration ratio, PAEC(Tn:Rn). The change in PAEC(Tn:Rn) is a function of the halflives of214Pb and212Pb and their respective precursors and is similar to the effect brought about by increased room ventilation. Decay products are also removed from indoor air by plateout of charged particles on room walls. Plateout rates calculated for214Pb suggest that even in well-ventilated houses, the potential alpha energy concentration of radon is affected as much by wall plateout as by infiltration of outside air. © 1995 Akadémial Kiadó.

Department(s)

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02039887

Publication Date

6-1-1995

Journal Title

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles

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