Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/10256016.2022.2058500
Document accepted manuscript
Title (Primary) A straightforward approach for assessing the effectiveness of membrane materials as radon (222Rn) barriers
Author Schubert, M.; Altendorf, D.; Weiß, H. ORCID logo
Source Titel Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies
Year 2022
Department ENVINF; CATHYD
Volume 58
Issue 3
Page From 301
Page To 310
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
T8 Georesources
Keywords Membrane; natural radioactivity; permeation; radio ecology; radon; radon barrier; Rn-222; sealing
Abstract The ubiquitous presence of the radioisotope radon (222Rn) and its short-lived progeny (218Po, 214Pb, 214Bi, 214Po) is challenging in two respects: (i) Radon is a major issue regarding health-related problems due to potentially elevated radiation exposure of humans in dwellings, and (ii) due to the mobility of radon the short-lived progeny may cause complications in radionuclide detection in laboratories. Polymer membranes are an appropriate means for effectively preventing unwanted radon migration. However, most of the published literature focusses on robust membranes made for the large-scale sealing of dwelling substructures. Membranes that are suitable (at small-scale) for sealing purposes in radionuclide detection applications are only rarely discussed. In this paper, we present a straightforward practical approach that allows the effectiveness of any membrane to be assessed for any purpose related to radon sealing. Executing the approach requires only (i) a suitable container with inlet and outlet ports, (ii) a mobile radon detector, and (iii) any type of radon source material. The approach provides a tool that allows testing any available membrane for its applicability as radon barrier sheeting.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26169
Schubert, M., Altendorf, D., Weiß, H. (2022):
A straightforward approach for assessing the effectiveness of membrane materials as radon (222Rn) barriers
Isot. Environ. Health Stud. 58 (3), 301 - 310 10.1080/10256016.2022.2058500