LONG-TERM MEASUREMENTS OF EQUILIBRIUM EQUIVALENT RADON AND THORON PROGENY CONCENTRATIONS IN REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA DWELLINGS

Abstract

The long–term measurements of radon and thoron equilibrium equivalent concentrations (EERC and EETC) were carried out the first time in Republic of Srpska in 25 schools of its capital Banja Luka and in its wider surroundings. After this successful survey, the measurements continued using the same type of the LR 115 nuclear track detectors, i.e., Direct Radon Progeny Sensors/Direct Thoron Progeny Sensors (DRPS/DTPS), and they were deployed in the 36 dwellings nearby the investigated schools. The detectors were exposed for one year period at 15–20 cm distance from the walls. The EERC and EETC were found to vary in the range from 6.3 to 14.4 Bq/m3and from 0.10 to 1.1 Bq/m3, with geometric mean 9.3 and 0.36, respectively. The same variance of EER and EET concentrations, measured in living and bedrooms of buildings built with different construction materials as well at different floors have been obtained. The insignificant correlations between EERC and EETC, show that these concentrations appeared to be independent in investigated dwellings. The calculated ratio of EETC to EERC ranged from 0.01 to 0.16 with the geometric mean of 0.04. The aim of this study is to give possible scientific contribution considering the explanation of EERC and EETC behavior in an indoor environment.