Radon transfer from ground to houses and prediction of indoor radon in Germany based on geological information

摘要

Soil gas radon concentrations of distinct geological units in Germany are compared with assigned indoor radon measurements in several test areas with different geological settings. A set of transfer factors for specific situations depending on geology and dwelling characteristics was derived which enable the prediction of the percentage of houses exceeding reference indoor radon levels. To validate the geology-based area prediction, the soil gas database of a generalised German radon map was matched with about 18 000 long-term indoor radon measurements grouped into administrative units on a district level. For most of the districts, prognosis and measurements are in acceptable agreement, and a clear distinction between areas with enhanced radon both in soil gas and in dwellings versus areas with low radon characteristics can be made.