Prediction of indoor radon in Germany on a regional scale

Abstract

Abstract Measurements of indoor radon activity concentration have been carried out in more than 10 000 dwellings in different regions of Germany. The statistical correlations between geology, building ground, indoor radon and the house characteristics were investigated. The geographical location – and therefore the geological setting – can be used as a proxy for both region-specific geological properties and building characteristics. Together with different variables of house type and living habits it significantly contribute to the explained variance for both ground floor and basement radon activity concentrations. Soil gas and indoor radon activity concentrations are connected by a transfer factor. The study has shown, that this factor can vary depending on regional differences in building characteristics, especially between the western and eastern part of Germany. Radon risk prediction maps for radon in houses based on the German soil gas map and the regional distribution of radon transfer, indicating the probability of exceeding indoor threshold values, can be designed. They can be used as a tool for indoor radon prediction, especially in regions without a sufficient number of indoor radon data.