Radon exhalation and its dependence on moisture content from samples of soil and building materials

Indoor radon has long been recognized as a potential health hazard for mankind. Building materials are considered as one of the major sources of radon in the indoor environment. To study radon exhalation rate and its dependence on moisture content, samples of soil and some common types of building materials (sand, cement, bricks and marble) were collected from Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Mandibahauddin and Narowal districts of the Punjab province (Pakistan). After processing, samples of 200g each were placed in plastic vessels. CR-39 based NRPB detector were placed at the top of these vessels and were then hermetically sealed. After exposing to radon for 30 days within the closed vessels, the CR-39 detectors were processed. Radon exhalation rate was found to vary from 122 +/- 19 to 681 +/- 10 mBq m(-2) h(-1) with an average of 376 +/- 147 mBq m(-2) h(-1) in the soil samples whereas an average of 212 +/- 34, 195 +/- 25, 231 +/- 30 and 292 +/- 35 mBq m(-2) h(-1) was observed in bricks, sand, cement and marble samples, respectively. Dependence of exhalation on moisture content has also been studied. Radon exhalation rate was found to increase with an increase in moisture, reached its maximum value and then decreased with further increase in the water content. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.