title: An approach to the subslab depressurization remedial action in a high (222)Rn concentration dwelling.
abstract: Galicia (NW Spain) is a radon-prone area in the Iberian Peninsula. Measurements were carried out at a rural dwelling, with an annual average of radon concentration over 4000 Bq m(-3) and a maximum of 9000 Bq m(-3), found during a radon screening campaign held in the Autonomous Community of Galicia. We performed a detailed study to identify the main contamination source and the behaviour of the radon concentration, in which a linear dependence with temperature was verified, once corrected for relative humidity. We used different passive methods (charcoal canisters and two types of etched track detectors) as well as a radon concentration monitor that provided continuous measurement. Subsequent to this characterization, and in order to reduce the high radon concentration, a remedial action was developed using different passive and forced ventilation methods. A modified subslab depressurization technique was found to be the most effective remedy, providing a radon concentration reduction of around 96%. This method also has the advantages of being inexpensive and reliable over time.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Análisis de Radiaciones, Departamento de Física de Partículas, Grupo Experimental de Núcleos y Partículas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. juanjose.llerena@usc.es
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Llerena
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cortina
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Durán
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorribas
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive; D005843:Geography; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012424:Rural Population; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain; D014691:Ventilation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon