External gamma dose rate and radon concentration in indoor environments covered with Brazilian granites

MEIGIKOS DOS ANJOS, R.; JURI AYUB, J.; CID, A. S.; CARDOSO, R.; LACERDA, T.

Congreso; XXXIV edition of the Brazilian Workshop on Nuclear Physics; 2011

Sociedad Brasileira de Fisica

Health hazard from radon concentrations, due to Brazilian granites used to cover the walls and floor in a typical dwelling room was assessed by indirect methods. Radon concentrations in the room were estimated by a simple mass balance equation and exhalation rates calculated from the measured values of 226Ra content in granite and the material properties. The results showed that the radon concentration in a room with adequate ventilation (0.5 h-1) will be lower than 100 Bq m-3, value recommended as a reference level by the World Health Organization.