title: Radon measurement in schools located in three priority investigation areas in the province of Quebec, Canada.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure radon concentration in public primary schools located in priority investigation areas, with the aim of decreasing occupants' exposure to radon in public buildings where concentrations exceed the Canadian Federal guidelines (i.e. 200 Bq m(-3)). In addition, the association between radon levels, substratum geological characteristics and schools' structural characteristics were investigated. The results showed that radon concentrations measured in the 65 investigated schools are generally below the Federal guideline levels. Eleven schools (17 %) had at least one measurement above the Federal guideline, while one had a level above 600 Bq m(-3). On average, targeted schools' occupants are exposed to radon concentrations of 56 Bq m(-3). Although statistical analysis, which was limited by the sample size, did not show any link between aggregated radon measurements and geochemical or radiological signatures of investigated sites, the geological evidence that led to the choice of the studied regions remains relevant.
authors.affiliation: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, 945 avenue, Wolfe, Québec, Canada G1V 5B3. patrick.poulin@inspq.qc.ca
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poulin
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dessau
authors.forename: Wilber
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Deck
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gagnon
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D011792:Quebec; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon