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Radon and thoron concentrations in the southwest region of Angola: dose assessment and implications for risk mapping

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Abstract

Indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) are the most important natural sources of ionizing radiation to the public. Radiological studies that assess simultaneously 222Rn and 220Rn, and their controlling factors are particularly scarce in African countries. Hence, we conducted a survey of indoor 222Rn and 220Rn in buildings located in the SW region of Angola. Bedrock samples were also collected, and a borehole was executed to assess 226Ra and 224Ra activity concentration, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation and emanation potential in the surface and at depth. The aim of this study was to determine the factors (geological and anthropogenic) that may influence the annual inhalation dose (AID) received by the population. Overall, the sum of indoor radon and indoor thoron concentrations, labelled the total indoor radon concentration (TIRC), was higher than 300 Bq/m3 in only 5% of the buildings studied. The contribution of 220Rn to the TIRC averaged 35% but may reach 95%, demonstrating the relevance of discriminating radon and thoron in indoor radon surveys. Indoor 222Rn and 220Rn were not correlated, indicating both must be estimated to properly assess the AID. Indoor 220Rn concentrations were statistically different according to the building materials and type of usage. Higher 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations were observed in dwellings compared to workplaces. The median AID estimated for dwellings was 1.50 mSv/y compared to 0.26 mSv/y for workplaces, which are lower than the estimated average radiation exposure due to natural sources of 2.4 mSv/y. AID values higher than 1 mSv/y effective dose threshold established in the Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM for the purpose of radiation protection in workplaces were observed in 12% of the workplaces studied suggesting the need for mitigation measures in those buildings. The analysis of bedrock samples revealed statistically significant correlations between 224 and 226Ra activity concentration, and 220Rn and 222Rn exhalation and emanation potential. The borehole samples indicated a strong influence of weathering processes in the distribution of radioisotopes. The highest 226Ra and 224Ra activity concentration, and 222Rn and 220Rn exhaled per unit mass, TIRC and AID were observed in association with A-type red granites and porphyries. We conclude that both geological and anthropic factors, such as the type of building usage and building materials, must be considered in dose assessment studies and for the development of risk maps.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial and technical support provided by the Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity of the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Coimbra, Portugal), Instituto do Ambiente, Tecnologia e Vida (Portugal) and Instituto Pedro Nunes (Portugal). All participants in the indoor radon concentrations survey are also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, LRN – Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity, University of Coimbra, Pole II, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal

    Edson Baptista, Alcides J. S. C. Pereira, Filipa P. Domingos & Sérgio L. R. Sêco

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, CITEUC – Center for Earth and Space Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Alcides J. S. C. Pereira

  3. IATV – Instituto do Ambiente, Tecnologia e Vida, Coimbra, Portugal

    Filipa P. Domingos & Sérgio L. R. Sêco

Authors
  1. Edson Baptista
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  2. Alcides J. S. C. Pereira
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  3. Filipa P. Domingos
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  4. Sérgio L. R. Sêco
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Contributions

Edson Baptista was responsible for sampling, sample preparation and drafting the article. Alcides J. S. C. Pereira was responsible for conception and design, sampling and for critically revising the article. Filipa P. Domingos was responsible for data analysis and interpretation, and drafting the article. Sérgio L. R. Sêco was responsible for data acquisition and drafting the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sérgio L. R. Sêco.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The authors are responsible for the correctness of the statements provided in the manuscript. The publication has been approved by all co-authors. All authors agree with the sequence of authors listed and the designated corresponding author. Data are available by request. Consent was obtained from all participants pertaining to the indoor radon measurements performed in the present work.

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Baptista, E., Pereira, A.J.S.C., Domingos, F.P. et al. Radon and thoron concentrations in the southwest region of Angola: dose assessment and implications for risk mapping. Environ Geochem Health 45, 665–686 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01226-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01226-8

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