ToT-Enhanced Training sessions (Viana do Castelo) | Natural Radioactivity: Indoor Radon Assessment and Mitigation

This project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement No GA 101179013. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Natural Radioactivity: Indoor Radon Assessment and Mitigation António Curado, Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo T3.3 - 2nd training 21st of July 2025, ESTG, Viana do Castelo GREENDT —Ph.D. holder in Civil Engineering —Buildings Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort. —Associate Professor at Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Pro-President for Sustainability and Built Patrimony. —proMetheus Board Member —Research Unit in Materials, Energy and Environment for Sustainability. —Member of the Portuguese Energy Agency Board of Experts in Energy Certification (ADENE). —Senior Member of the Portuguese Chamber of Civil Engineers (OE). —Author and co-author of several publications in scientific journals, proceedings of national and international scientific events. António Curado GREENDT •01 What is Radon •02 How Does Radon Enter? •03 Radon Impact on Public Health •04 Radon in Europe •05 Radon in Portugal •06 Radon in Alto-Minho •07 How to assess indoor Radon? •08 Where to assess indoor Radon? •09 How to mitigate indoor Radon? •10 Case Study •11 RnMonitor R&D Project •12 RnHealth Tech R&D Project •13 Future Work •14 Quiz Agenda: 01 What is Radon? GREENDT ‣Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas; ‣Forms naturally from the decay (breaking down) of radioactive elements, such as uranium; ‣Arises predominantly in granitic and shale soils; ‣Affects groundwater and indoor air; ‣Enters buildings through cracks in floors and walls, construction joints, gaps and holes in foundations: ‣Radon levels are usually high in buildings basements and ground floor levels. Source: American Cancer Society [https://www.cancer.org/] GREENDT On decaying, radon emits radioactive alpha particles responsible for lung cancer. Half-life of only 3.8 days. 02 How Does Radon Enter? GREENDT ‣Sources inside or underneath the buildings. ‣Continuous source, not responsive to the intermittent ventilation techniques. ‣Due to granitic foundation soils (uranium) North of Portugal is at risk regarding natural radiation. ‣Radon is a Group 1 carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Source: [http://nehh.org/radon] 03 Radon impact on public health 06 Radon in Alto Minho GREENDT Radon in Alto Minho region Extract of “Mapa de Suscetibilidade ao Radão” Source: APA, 2020 LOW MODERATE HIGH GREENDT Alto-Minho region is largely affected by Indoor Radon Gas: -Subsoil geology is mainly formed by granite and shale; -10 municipalities are referenced as critical; Granitic morphology of buildings: -Modern airtight construction (high insulation window frames); -Poor ventilation of new and rehabilitated buildings; -Lack of air inlets. 07 How to assess indoor Radon? GREENDT GREENDT 08 Where to assess indoor Radon? GREENDT 09 How to mitigate indoor Radon? GREENDT 10 Case Study Nunes, L.J.R.; Curado, A. Confined Spaces in Buildings with High Indoor Radon Concentration: A Case Study Analysis with the Application of Constructive Remediation Measures. Buildings 2023,13, 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010049 Nunes, L.J.R.; Curado, A. High Indoor Rn Concentration Mitigation in a Heritage Building: Case Study Analysis of the Applied Constructive Measures. Buildings 2023,13, 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010136 GREENDT Case Study GREENDT Case Study GREENDT Case Study GREENDT Case Study GREENDT Case Study –Stage I Average value of 6459 Bq.m-3 GREENDT Case Study –Stage I Only four values fell within the [0; 300] Bq·m-3 range (0.002%) while the remaining 99.998% exceeded the legal radon exposure limit! Average=6459 Bq·m-3 GREENDT Case Study –Stage IIa Average value of 637 Bq.m-3 GREENDT Case Study –Stage IIa Radon membrane barrier use made results fall within the interval [300; 2000] Bq·m-3. Most values still exceeded the threshold of 300 Bq·m-3. GREENDT Case Study –Stage IIb Average value of 9052 Bq.m-3 Indoor radon concentration increased! Diffusion to other neighbouring rooms is not permitted. Again, most values still exceeded the threshold of 300 Bq·m-3. GREENDT GREENDT http://rnmonitor.ipvc.pt/ https://youtu.be/FqlDlPB_pOk GREENDT RnMonitor R&D Project (S.I.Lopes & A.Curado) 12 RnHealthTech R&D Project GREENDT 52 GREENDT GREENDT GREENDT GREENDT GREENDT 14 Quiz Disclosure: This quiz was generated with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI developed by OpenAI, and is intended for educational purposes only. GREENDT 1. What is radon? a) A radioactive gas b) A heavy metal c) A water contaminant d) A synthetic chemical 2. How is radon formed? a) During photosynthesis b) By burning fossil fuels c) From the decay of uranium in soil and rock d) From car exhaust fumes 3. Why is radon considered dangerous to human health? a) It causes skin rashes b) It leads to dehydration c) It increases the risk of lung cancer d) It damages the liver 4. How does radon typically enter buildings? a) Through windows b) Through rainwater c) Through cracks in the foundation d) Through electrical wiring 5. What is the recommended action level for indoor radon concentration by the WHO? a) 100 Bq/m³ b) 500 Bq/m³ c) 50 Bq/m³ d) 1000 Bq/m³ 6. Which of the following is NOT an effective way to reduce radon levels in a building? a) Increasing ventilation b) Sealing cracks in floors and walls c) Installing a radon mitigation system d) Using air fresheners GREENDT 7. Radon exposure is the _______ leading cause of lung cancer. a) First b) Second c) Third d) Fourth 8. In which types of buildings is radon most commonly found at high levels? a) Skyscrapers only b) Underground parking lots c) Basements and ground floors of homes d) Buildings with solar panels 9. What is the best time of year to test for radon levels in a home? a) Summer b) Spring c) Winter d) Any time of year 10. In which type of building is radon exposure likely to have a greater health impact? a) Buildings with excellent ventilation systems b) Underground or poorly ventilated buildings c) Tall skyscrapers with sealed windows d) Outdoor stadiums This project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement No GA 101179013. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. THANKS António Curado Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo [email protected]