School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
R&D Department, Geochron Ltd., Dublin, Ireland.
Front Public Health. 2024 Sep 16;12:1443332. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1443332. eCollection 2024.
This paper presents a novel approach to predict and map radon and thoron levels. We developed separate radon and thoron prediction maps for Ireland and introduced a system for producing high-resolution 3D radiation maps which may be used for planning purposes in residential areas, recycling and demolishing waste depots, and quarries of building and construction material. Additionally, we highlight the critical need to monitor thoron alongside radon in indoor surveys, as thoron's shorter half-life and higher energy levels may pose a greater health risk.
We utilized Tellus radiometric survey data and indoor radon measurement records to investigate the spatial correlation between elevated indoor radon activity and anomalies in radioelement concentrations. We also estimated the degree of thoron interference in indoor radon surveys conducted in Ireland using CR-39 detectors. Field and laboratory surveys were performed to produce high-resolution radiation maps for four Irish quarries and estimate the radon and thoron potential of these quarries.
Our initial findings suggest that thoron may be the primary health issue in some parts of Ireland, surpassing radon. For example, our map shows that the expected thoron potential in county Donegal is significantly higher than that for radon. Our radon and thoron exhalation tests on building material samples from four random quarries confirm this. We also estimate that over 20% of the elevated indoor radon activity recorded by the EPA using CR-39 detectors may be attributed to thoron-related sources.
This study contributes to a better understanding of the prevalence and impact of radon and thoron in Ireland, helping to determine the main radiological health issue related to indoor air quality in the country. Thoron's impact on indoor air quality and health has been understudied in Ireland, necessitating more comprehensive studies and monitoring programs to accurately assess the prevalence and impact of both radon and thoron.
本文提出了一种新的方法来预测和绘制氡和钍水平。我们为爱尔兰分别开发了氡和钍预测图，并引入了一种用于制作高分辨率 3D 辐射图的系统，该系统可用于规划住宅区、废物回收和拆除仓库以及建筑和建筑材料的采石场。此外，我们强调了在室内调查中与氡一起监测钍的重要性，因为钍的半衰期更短且能量水平更高，可能会带来更大的健康风险。
我们利用 Tellus 放射性测量数据和室内氡测量记录来研究室内氡活度升高与放射性元素浓度异常之间的空间相关性。我们还使用 CR-39 探测器估计了在爱尔兰进行的室内氡调查中钍的干扰程度。进行了实地和实验室调查，以制作四个爱尔兰采石场的高分辨率辐射图，并估算这些采石场的氡和钍潜力。
我们的初步发现表明，在爱尔兰的一些地区，钍可能是主要的健康问题，超过了氡。例如，我们的地图显示，多尼戈尔县的预期钍潜力明显高于氡。我们对四个随机采石场的建筑材料样本进行的氡和钍呼气测试证实了这一点。我们还估计，环保署使用 CR-39 探测器记录的 20%以上的升高的室内氡活度可能归因于与钍有关的来源。
本研究有助于更好地了解氡和钍在爱尔兰的流行程度和影响，有助于确定与该国室内空气质量相关的主要辐射健康问题。在爱尔兰，钍对室内空气质量和健康的影响研究不足，需要进行更全面的研究和监测计划，以准确评估氡和钍的流行程度和影响。
