Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which tends to build up within structures. It is therefore necessary to include techniques to mitigate radon concentration when undertaking refurbishment. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a mitigation technique based on pressuriz...
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Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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Series: | Atmosphere |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/14 |
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author | Ricardo Pol Raúl Rodríguez Luis Santiago Quindós Ismael Fuente |
author_facet | Ricardo Pol Raúl Rodríguez Luis Santiago Quindós Ismael Fuente |
author_sort | Ricardo Pol |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which tends to build up within structures. It is therefore necessary to include techniques to mitigate radon concentration when undertaking refurbishment. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a mitigation technique based on pressurizing the interior of a building, by testing a prototype of the mitigating device, developed by Siglo 21 Consultores and the LaRUC of the University of Cantabria, under real conditions, to determine its effectiveness during refurbishment. The methodology involved installing the proposed solution in a traditional country dwelling in an area characterized by high radon concentration, on the coast of Galicia, Spain. In order to measure the effectiveness of the solution, continuous measurement sensors, set in an ionization chamber, and properly calibrated by the LaRUC laboratory, were installed. The results obtained show that pressurizing the living quarters brings about an effective reduction in the radon concentration, with a relatively simple building solution. This solution, which is compatible with the principle of minimum intervention, is seen to be especially appropriate when work is undertaken in structures recognized as heritage. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:56:40Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-341df9008e1146f197643f4cfb48d626 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2073-4433 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:56:40Z |
publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Atmosphere |
spelling | doaj.art-341df9008e1146f197643f4cfb48d6262023-11-23T12:55:43ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-12-011311410.3390/atmos13010014Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, SpainRicardo Pol0Raúl Rodríguez1Luis Santiago Quindós2Ismael Fuente3Natural Radioactivity Laboratory (LaRUC), University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, SpainNatural Radioactivity Laboratory (LaRUC), University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, SpainNatural Radioactivity Laboratory (LaRUC), University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, SpainNatural Radioactivity Laboratory (LaRUC), University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, SpainRadon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which tends to build up within structures. It is therefore necessary to include techniques to mitigate radon concentration when undertaking refurbishment. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a mitigation technique based on pressurizing the interior of a building, by testing a prototype of the mitigating device, developed by Siglo 21 Consultores and the LaRUC of the University of Cantabria, under real conditions, to determine its effectiveness during refurbishment. The methodology involved installing the proposed solution in a traditional country dwelling in an area characterized by high radon concentration, on the coast of Galicia, Spain. In order to measure the effectiveness of the solution, continuous measurement sensors, set in an ionization chamber, and properly calibrated by the LaRUC laboratory, were installed. The results obtained show that pressurizing the living quarters brings about an effective reduction in the radon concentration, with a relatively simple building solution. This solution, which is compatible with the principle of minimum intervention, is seen to be especially appropriate when work is undertaken in structures recognized as heritage.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/14radonheritagemitigationrefurbishmentair quality |
spellingShingle | Ricardo Pol Raúl Rodríguez Luis Santiago Quindós Ismael Fuente Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain Atmosphere radon heritage mitigation refurbishment air quality |
title | Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain |
title_full | Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain |
title_fullStr | Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain |
title_full_unstemmed | Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain |
title_short | Measurement and Mitigation of Radon Concentration in a Traditional Dwelling in Galicia, Spain |
title_sort | measurement and mitigation of radon concentration in a traditional dwelling in galicia spain |
topic | radon heritage mitigation refurbishment air quality |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/14 |
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