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The Ebro River Delta, in the northwestern Mediterranean basin, has an extension of 320 km2 and is mainly covered by rice fields. In the framework of the ClimaDat project, the greenhouse gases atmospheric station DEC was designed and installed in this area in 2013. The DEC station was equipped, among other tools, with a Picarro G2301 instrument and an ARMON (Atmospheric Radon Monitor) to measure both CH4 and CO2 and 222Rn concentrations, respectively. The variability of methane fluxes over this area and during the distinct phases of the rice production cycle was evaluated in this study using the Radon Tracer Method (RTM). The RTM was carried out using (i) nocturnal hourly atmospheric measurements of CH4 and 222Rn between 2013 and 2019 and (ii) FLEXPART-WRF back trajectories coupled with radon flux maps for Europe with a resolution of 0.05° × 0.05° available thanks to the project traceRadon. Prior to the calculation of methane fluxes by RTM, the FLEXPART-WRF model and the traceRadon flux maps were evaluated by modelling atmospheric radon concentrations at the DEC station and comparing them with observed data. RTM-based methane fluxes show a strong seasonality with maximums in October (13.9 mg CH4 m−2 h−1), corresponding with the period of harvest and straw incorporation in rice crop fields, and minimums between March and June (0.2 to 0.6 mg CH4 m−2 h−1). The total estimated methane annual emission was about 262.8 kg CH4 ha−1. These fluxes were compared with fluxes directly measured with static accumulation chambers by other researchers in the same area. Results show strong agreement between both methodologies, having both a similar annual cycle and similar monthly mean absolute values.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas known for its health risks, has recently gained attention for its potential protective role against COVID-19 mortality. This cross-sectional ecological study examined the relationship between indoor radon exposure and COVID-19 mortality rates across eight countries, including several European nations, the United States, and the State of Kerala, India, during the pre-vaccination period. The analyzed data on the subject were derived from recent scientific publications. The environmental aspect was represented by the variable \"indoor radon concentration or probability of exceeding a radon concentration in indoor air,\" depending on data availability. Using national radon surveys and COVID-19 mortality statistics, statistical analyses, including Spearman's correlation and Kendall Tau, were conducted between March and December 2020. The findings revealed a consistent negative correlation between radon concentrations and COVID-19 mortality rates, indicating that higher radon concentrations were associated with lower mortality rates. Regions such as Finland and Sweden, where radon exposure was relatively high, experienced significantly lower mortality. With Sweden and Finland showing a mortality risk reduction factor of respectively 1,42 and 5,47 during the first wave compared to the UK where Radon levels are very low. Although the findings are not overwhelmingly strong, the data suggest that radon exposure may have a mitigating effect on COVID-19 mortality.

An investigation was conducted to determine radon concentrations, radon exhalation rate, and potential radiological hazard parameters associated with cement collected from five factories in Sulaymaniyah city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Using solid-state nuclear track detectors such as CR39, the samples were analyzed by etching processes. The average radon concentration, radium concentration, and radon exhalation rate were 138.16  Bq m - 3 , 0.254  Bq kg - 1 , and 0.317  Bq m - 2 h - 1 , respectively. In sample 14, radon concentrations were within the suggested range of 200–600  Bq m - 3 , and the radon exhalation rate was well below the global average of 57.600  Bq m - 2 h - 1 . In addition, parameters related to potential radiological hazards were calculated for cement samples, the average annual effective dose indoor and outdoor were 3.49 and 1.31  mSv y - 1 , so this study's value was within the global average limitations (1–5  mSv y - 1 ). Also, the excess lifetime cancer risk indoor and outdoor were 12.5 × 10 −3 and 4.69 × 10 −3 greater than the world value of 0.29 × 10 −3 .

In this study geogenic radon potential (GRP) mapping was carried out on the bases of field radon in soil gas concentration and soil gas permeability measurements by considering the corresponding geological formations. The spatial pattern of soil gas radon concentration, soil permeability, and GRP and the relationship between geological formations and these parameters was studied by performing detailed spatial analysis. The radon activity concentration in soil gas ranged from 0.11 to 434.5 kBq m −3 with a mean of 18.96 kBq m −3 , and a standard deviation was 55.38 kBq m −3 . The soil gas permeability ranged from 5.2×10 −14 to 5.2×10 −12 m 2 , with a mean of 5.65×10 −13 m 2 . The GRP values were computed from the 222 Rn activity concentration and soil gas permeability data. The range of GRP values was from 0.04 to 154.08. Locations on igneous granite rock geology were characterized by higher soil radon gas activity and higher GRP, making them radon-prone areas according to international standards. The other study locations fall between the low to medium risk, except for areas with high soil permeability, which are not internationally classified as radon prone. A GRP map was created displaying radon-prone areas for the study location using Kriging/Cokriging, based on in situ and predicted measured values. The GRP map assists in human health risk assessment and risk reduction since it indicates the potential of the source of radon and can serve as a vital tool for radon combat planning.

Radon is present in most groundwater hosted by geological formations rich in uranium. It is a gas that dissolves easily in water, poses a potential health risk when present in water used in homes. For this purpose, an exploring study of radon concentration in groundwater was conducted in three selected areas in Morocco (the Anti-Atlas, the High Atlas and the Bahira areas) using RAD-7 detector. The radon contents measured in the 34 groundwater samples, range from 0.36 to 577.1 Bq L − 1 , with average of 52.99 Bq L − 1 . Among them, only three samples exceed the accepted limit of 100 Bq L − 1 , established by the world health organization and the European Commission. Considering the level recommended by U.S. environmental protection agency, 67.64% of the samples measured had concentrations greater than 11.1 Bq L − 1 . These results indicate significantly higher 222 Rn concentrations in the groundwater of the Anti-Atlas compared to the High Atlas and occidental Meseta. This disparity could be attributed to the variation in lithology between these three different regions, as the granites are mainly the primary sources of radon in the region. The obtained annual effective doses show values ranging from 0 mSv y − 1 to 2.10 mSv y − 1 for the three regions, with samples in the Anti-Atlas and Bahira exceeding the safety limit of 0.1 mSv y − 1 proposed by both the WHO and the European Commission. This exploring study is important for both the environment and human health since it can provide important information for radon-related regulations and programs.

The paper considers a dispersive geological medium (seismically turbid medium, as defined by A.V. Nikolaev), which is in a stress–strain state. Results of studies on the joint monitoring of seismic effects and radon emanation in various geological environments are presented. It is concluded that the turbidity of the medium, as a statistical characteristic, can be generalized in terms of other media parameters, such as permeability. A stable connection between radon emanation and dynamic processes occurring in a geological environment and caused by external influences has been established. The concentration of radon can also reflect the degree of enrichment of the environment by underground fractures. Consequently, saturation of the environment with radon provides information about the presence of disturbances in a geological environment in the form of cracks and a stress–strain state of the medium before and after seismic loadings. Radon observations make it possible to assess a continuity of the environment and the possibility of leaching in natural conditions. Therefore, it could be efficiently used for underground leaching efficiency assessment.

Accumulation of Radon in groundwater from aquifer lithologies can pose significant health risks. This study investigates its concentration in coastal Alappuzha from the Kerala state in India to assess health risks from ingestion and inhalation in groundwater samples of both the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The activity(RAD7detector)in post-monsoon samples remained relatively higher (2.59–66.46 Bq/L; average:20.25 Bq/L) compared to the pre-monsoon (1.63–46.38 Bq/L; average: 13.78 Bq/L), reflecting the effect of precipitation on enhanced Radon contamination. However, the samples presently do not exceed the World Health Organization recommended maximum value (100 Bq/L). Relatively higher average radiation doses for stomach and lungs (6.12–6.20 Svy -1 ) in post-monsoon samples compared to pre-monsoon (4.12–4.22 Svy -1 ) show more exposures in the post-monsoon season. Our estimations of the total effective dose from two different pathways provide valuable baseline data on radon exposure in a coastal region of India, where health risks could increase due to higher precipitation and more frequent heavy rainfall events in the near future. Such conditions may enhance groundwater recharge and promote the downward migration of radon-rich soil gases into aquifers, potentially elevating radon concentrations, particularly in uranium-bearing lithological settings.

In this research, nineteen (19) samples were collected and analyzed with the following objectives: to evaluate the activity concentration of radionuclides, assess gamma absorption, determine indoor radon concentration, and evaluate the public health impact of building materials used in Katsina State, Nigeria. The study aimed to provide critical data that would inform safe construction practices and regulatory compliance. Samples were sourced locally from various quarry sites, while materials such as cement, paint, tiles, and ceiling materials were purchased from local markets. The methodology involved measuring radionuclide activity concentrations using gamma-ray spectroscopy with a Thallium-doped Sodium Iodide (NaI (Tl)) detector, a highly sensitive method suitable for detecting gamma emissions from radionuclides. Radon gas was identified as the primary radiation source. Results revealed varying activity concentrations of radionuclides across different building materials. Most samples, except for Gravel, Brown Clay (Zone A and C), Kaolin, and Fired Clay Bricks, were below the recommended limits for radionuclide. Similarly, for , except for Cement and Thatch, samples were generally below the average value of 35 Bq/kg. However, several samples including Gravel, Paint, Brown Clay (Zones A, B, C), Thatch, Mud Clay, Laterite, Neem tree, Limestone, Fired Clay Bricks, and Gypsum exceeded the average value of 30 Bq/kg for . The overall average activity concentrations across samples were : 232.421, : 11.791, and : 51.1858 all in Bq/kg. The average Radium equivalent and Gamma index was 113.8 Bq/kg and 0.22, respectively, with an alpha index of 0.11. The external and internal hazard indexes averaged 0.2292 and 0.3102, indicating that these materials pose no significant radiological health risk when used in construction, as all values are below international guidelines of 370 Bq/kg and 1 mSv/y. This study concludes with a recommendation for public awareness on the effects of radiation and the need for continued monitoring and regulation of radiation exposure. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to public health and safety, supporting regulatory compliance and helping to prevent potential health risks associated with construction materials.

All humans are exposed to radon, the primary source of natural radiation, which can harm people due to natural processes rather than human activity. Thus, it is of significant importance to determine the levels of radon in indoor, soil gas, water, and outdoors. Radon concentration ( C Rn ) was measured in Kiraz district, İzmir, and the correlation between the indoor and soil gas C Rn values was investigated. The indoor C Rn values measured in 40 randomly selected dwellings in Kiraz exhibited a wide range from 19.50 ± 2.50 to 204.70 ± 8.00 Bq m −3 with an average value of 61.11 ± 4.23 Bq m −3 . The measured indoor C Rn values were compared to the reference levels in the world to help control radon in the dwellings. Indoor C Rn values were lower than the ICRP reference level of 300 Bq m −3 in all of the dwellings studied. Furthermore, in 34 dwellings (representing 85% of the total number of dwellings studied), indoor C Rn values were lower than the WHO reference level of 100 Bq m −3 . Health hazard indices, namely annual effective dose ( AED ) and excess lifetime cancer risk ( ELCR ), were also calculated for each dwelling and compared with internationally acceptable levels to estimate the risk to human health. The AED values varied from 0.49 ± 0.06 to 5.16 ± 0.20 mSv y −1 with an average value of 1.54 ± 0.11 mSv y −1 , which exceeds the world average of 1.15 mSv y −1 as reported by UNSCEAR. The ELCR values ranged from 2.05 ± 0.26 × 10 −3 to 21.55 ± 0.84 × 10 −3 with an average value of 6.43 ± 0.44 × 10 −3 , exceeding the world average of 0.29 × 10 −3 as reported by UNSCEAR. The soil gas C Rn values measured exhibited a wide variation ranging from 129.25 ± 6.38 Bq m −3 to 6172.64 ± 44.06 Bq m −3 with an average value of 1291.79 ± 18.70 Bq m −3 . The soil gas C Rn values were less than 10,000 Bq m −3 ; hence, the research area is categorized as “low radon risk areas” according to Sweden Criteria, and so no special constructions are required in the studied area. When soil gas C Rn values were compared to indoor C Rn values, no linear relationship was found between the C Rn values. However, a strong positive linear correlation was found between indoor and soil gas C Rn values less than 200 Bq m −3 and 2500 Bq m −3 , respectively.

As reported by the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (formerly TAEK, newly TENMAK), Izmir province has higher indoor radon concentrations compared to other cities in Turkey. Since modern people spend 92% of their daily time indoors, it is important to know indoor radon levels and long-term variation. However, our knowledge of indoor radon levels of Izmir and its surrounding are limited. Moreover, there is no information about this area’s large-term variation of indoor radon. In this study, which was carried out with this motivation, indoor radon concentrations and meteorological parameters were measured in an office of the teaching staff in a university building. Data were collected hourly over 25 months (762 days). Raw data, diurnal, monthly, and seasonal variations of parameters were investigated separately. The results show that the average indoor radon concentration (18 Bq m −3 ) is relatively lower than national and international reference values. Indoor radon concentrations showed an increasing and decreasing trend throughout the day. Radon concentrations are slightly higher in the morning (downtime and early hours of the day) and then reduced in the afternoon. This can be related to the daily routine usage of the office, which is affected by ventilation of the room, air temperature variations, etc.