Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Studies of radon and radon progeny in air conditioned rooms in hospitals

Marley, F., Denman, A. R. and Phillips, P. S. (1998) Studies of radon and radon progeny in air conditioned rooms in hospitals. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 76(4), pp. 273-276. 0144-8420.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: A series of continuous real-time radon and radon progeny measurements together with passive etched track detector measurements were performed in hospital premises during 1996. In one small room, derailed measurements over several weeks showed that both the radon concentration and the Equilibrium Factor depended on the intermittent operation of a filtered positive pressure displacement air-conditioning system, which was designed to conform to operating theatre standards. The average radon level measured while the air-conditioning was off was almost four times higher than that recorded whilst it was on. The progeny level was over five times higher than that whilst it was on. Thus the Equilibrium Factor (F) was significantly lower when the air-conditioning was on. Measurements in similar rooms in two hospitals confirmed that the reduction in radon level was a general finding. Thus staff working in such environments receive significantly lower radiation dose from radon than staff working in nearby normally ventilated rooms.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Radon, progeny, air conditioned, air conditioning
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1247.R33 Toxicology. Radon
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences > GE300 Environmental management
T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD885.5 Radon pollution
Creators: Marley, F, Denman, Anthony R and Phillips, Paul S
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Environment
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Research into Sustainable Wastes Management
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Science and Technology (2010-2016)
Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Research Centres > Environment Research Group
Date: April 1998
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 273-276
Journal or Publication Title: Radiation Protection Dosimetry
Volume: 76
Number: 4
Language: English
ISSN: 0144-8420
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/6259

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