Speaker
Description
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in the decay chain of uranium-238. High radon levels in houses have been linked to the occurrence of lung cancer via the deposition of radon progeny in the lungs. The radon activity in houses depends on the concentration of radium in the soil below the house and the diffusion of radon into the house. Another pathway is the concentration of radium in building materials. There has been concerns that indoor radon from granite countertops and zircon tiles might contribute significantly to the radon concentration in a house. The aim of this work is to look at how much radon is coming out of some South African tiles and granite used in houses, as well as other building materials. Radium content has been measured using a NaI detector and radon with the use of a RAD7 continuous radon monitor as well as electrets ion chambers. Preliminary measurements will be presented on material that has been used in construction in South Africa.
| Consider for a student <br> award (Yes / No)? | no |
|---|---|
| Level (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, other)? | MSc |
| Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)? | no |
