Re: Radon Migration Through Concrete

["Bernard L. Cohen" <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	This does not explain what caused the build-up to start suddenly. It
also does not explain how the radon got thru the sttel containment
structure which is sealed (and tested to withstand high pressure). It
seems to me that the steel structure must have sprung a leak. and the
negative pressure inside the containment sucked the radon in.

"Ron L. Kathren" wrote:
> 
> Ron --
> 
> What you are seeing is absolutely not surprising; radon buildup can easily
> be monitored in a sealed building. There are a number of factors that will
> give rise to radon buildup in a closed building.  The most important is the
> source of radon, which in this case is concrete, and the lack of
> ventilation.  Atmospheric pressure and temperature will also affect the
> buildup rate.  A factor of 10 in 8 days is not extraordinary; the radon
> evolving out of the concrete has a 3.8 day half life, and if the evolution
> rate were constant (it is not, however), you would expect to get to about
> 80% of the final equilbrium value after 8 days.  The EPA and DOE both have
> numerous publications of varying levels of detail available for the asking.
> 
> Ron Kathren
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Lavera, Ron <Ron.Lavera@nypa.gov>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 9:48 AM
> Subject: Radon Migration Through Concrete
> 
> > We have a welded steel lined building that has a substantial amount of
> > poured concrete inside the building.  The building is about 25 years old.
> >
> > Can anyone provide information, explanations and/or examples that could
> > indicate how the airborne radon concentration inside this sealed building
> > could change by a factor of 10 over an 8 day period ?  The change has been
> > steady for over a month with little or no variation.
> >
> > Thank you for your time and consideration.
> >
> > Ron LaVera
> > Lavera.r@nypa.gov
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