Measurement of equilibrium factor and unattached fraction of radon progeny in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

To reasonably estimate the population dose from radon, equilibrium factor, Fp, and unattached fraction, fp, of radon progeny are important parameters. A Lucas cell and a working level monitor was used for most Fp measurement. The unattached fraction was measured by SARAD EQF3020. A detached house was chosen to measure the Fp in different rooms. The Fp value depended mainly on the ventilation rate and surface to volume ratio of the rooms. Fp and fp were measured in bedrooms of 14 other dwellings. Two hospitals were also chosen for measurement of Fp in the working place using rooms located in the basement. The average Fp for dwellings was about 0.5 and the average unattached fraction was about 0.055. The radon levels in the hospitals were higher than those in the dwellings but the equilibrium factors in the hospital were very low (about 0.06). The low Fp was attributed to the use of a dehumidifier in the hospitals. Dehumidifiers are popular for reducing fungi problem induced by the high humidity in Taiwan.