Estimation of 222Rn release from the phosphogypsum board used in housing panels.
Phosphogypsum board is a popular construction material used for housing panels in Korea. Phosphogypsum often contains (226)Ra which decays into (222)Rn through an alpha transformation. (222)Rn emanated from the (226)Ra-bearing phosphogypsum board has drawn the public concern due to its potential radiological impacts to indoor occupants. The emanation rate of (222)Rn from the board is estimated in this paper. A mathematical model of the emanation rate of (222)Rn from the board is presented and validated through a series of experiments. The back diffusion effect due to accumulation of (222)Rn-laden air was incorporated in the model and found to have a strong impact on the (222)Rn emanation characteristics.
Jang
Mee
M
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University, 56-1, Shillim, Gwanak, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea. momos65@empal.com
Kang
Chang-Sun
CS
Hyun Moon
Joo
J
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D003252:Construction Materials; D004058:Diffusion; D006798:Housing; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010758:Phosphorus; D011883:Radium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; C077769:phosphogypsum; D010758:Phosphorus; D011886:Radon; D011883:Radium; D002133:Calcium Sulfate