Radon levels in greenhouses: a case study in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

  1. Cruz-Pérez, N.
  2. Rodríguez-Martín, J.
  3. Santamarta, J. C.
  1. 1 Universidad de La Laguna
    info

    Universidad de La Laguna

    San Cristobal de La Laguna, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01r9z8p25

Revista:
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

ISSN: 1735-1472,  1735-2630

Año de publicación: 2021

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1007/S13762-021-03341-Y GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Resumen

The Canary Islands are a volcanic territory within Spain. It is a group of islands where radon gas concentrations in enclosedareas must be considered for the health of workers, as it is an archipelago where high concentrations of this gas are expectedto be found (due to the richness in uranium and radium of the rocks on the islands). In this study, radon gas levels have beenmeasured inside 4 greenhouses in Tenerife (Canary Islands) as they are closed and poorly ventilated places in contact withthe ground. The results show low levels of radon gas in the greenhouses analysed, specifcally under 50 Bq/m3 in all cases,which contrasts with the high values obtained in other underground facilities present in the Canary Islands. Therefore, thegreenhouses assessed are not considered to have excessive levels of radon; since the value of radon gas concentration abovewhich the World Health Organisation considers that health problems are generated is 100 Bq/m3.

Referencias bibliográficas

  • Berthot L, Pinti DL, Larocque M, Gagné S, Ferlatte M, Cloutier V (2016) Exploring 222 Rn as a tool for tracing groundwater inflows from eskers and moraines into slope peatlands of the Amos region of Quebec, Canada. J Environ Radioact 164:344–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.07.038
  • Bossew P (2018) Radon priority areas-definition, estimation and uncertainty. Nucl Technol Radiat Prot 33(3):286–292
  • Bucci S, Pratesi G, Viti ML, Pantani M, Bochicchio F, Venoso G (2011) Radon in workplaces: first results of an extensive survey and comparison with radon in homes. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 145(2–3):202–205. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncr040
  • Celik N, Cevik U, Celik A, Kucukomeroglu B (2008) Determination of indoor radon and soil radioactivity levels in Giresun, Turkey. J Environ Radioact 99(8):1349–1354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.04.010
  • Chakraverty S, Sahoo BK, Rao TD, Karunakar P, Sapra BK (2018) Modelling uncertainties in the diffusion-advection equation for radon transport in soil using interval arithmetic. J Environ Radioact 182:165–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.12.007
  • Cinelli G, De Cort M, Tollefsen T (2019) European atlas of natural radiation. Publication office of the European Union. p 195. https://remon.jrc.ec.europa.eu/About/Atlas-of-Natural-Radiation
  • CSN (2012) Guía de Seguridad 11.4: metodología para la evaluación de la exposición al radón en los lugares de trabajo. In: Guías de Seguridad. Imprenta Fareso, S.A. M. 9.275–2013: p 34
  • CSN (2013) El mapa predictivo de exposición al radón en España. Colección Informes Técnicos 38.2013, 141(1): 40–42
  • Darby S, Hill D, Auvinen A, Barros-Dios JM, Baysson H, Bochicchio F, Deo H, Falk R, Forastiere F, Hakama M, Heid I, Kreienbrock L, Kreuzer M, Lagarde F, Mäkeläinen I, Muirhead C, Oberaigner W, Pershagen G, Ruano-Ravina A, Ruosteenoja E, Schaffrath Rosario A, Tirmarche M, Tomáscaron ek L, Whitley E, Wichmann H-E, Doll R (2005) Radon in homes and risk of lung cancer: collaborative analysis of individual data from 13 European case-control studies. BMJ 330(7485):223–226. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38308.477650.63
  • Eff-Darwich A, Viñas R, Soler V, de la Nuez J, Quesada ML (2008) Natural air ventilation in underground galleries as a tool to increase radon sampling volumes for geologic monitoring. Radiat Meas 43(8):1429–1436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2008.05.006
  • Espinosa G, Chavarria A, Golzarri JI (2013) A study of indoor radon in greenhouses in Mexico City, Mexico. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 296(1):37–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-1974-9
  • European Commission (2014) Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom. Official Journal of the European Union, 1–73.
  • Fuente M, Rábago D, Goggins J, Fuente I, Sainz C, Foley M (2019) Radon mitigation by soil depressurisation case study: Radon concentration and pressure field extension monitoring in a pilot house in Spain. Sci Total Environ 695:133746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133746
  • IARC (1988) Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. In: International Agency for Research on Cancer Vol. 43, Issue Radon. http://www.ghbook.ir/index.php?name=فرهنگ
  • Iyogi T, Hisamatsu S, Inaba J (2006) 222Rn concentrations in greenhouses in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Sci Total Environ 354(2–3):142–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.01.040
  • Kovács T, Shahrokhi A, Sas Z, Vigh T, Somlai J (2017) Radon exhalation study of manganese clay residue and usability in brick production. J Environ Radioact 168:15–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.07.014
  • Li P, Zhang R, Gu M, Zheng G (2018a) Uptake of the natural radioactive gas radon by an epiphytic plant. Sci Total Environ 612:436–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.253
  • Li P, Zhang R, Zheng G (2018b) Genetic and physiological effects of the natural radioactive gas radon on the epiphytic plant Tillandsia brachycaulos. Plant Physiol Biochem 132(September):385–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.09.029
  • Li X, Xu X, Li W, Wang F, Hai C (2016) Preliminary study on the variation of radon-222 inside greenhouse of Shouguang county, China. J Environ Radioact 153:120–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.024
  • Loppi S, Malfatti A, Sani M, Whitehead NE (1997) Lichens as biomonitors of geothermal radionuclide pollution. Geothermics 26(4):535–540. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-6505(97)00005-9
  • Lucchetti C, Briganti A, Castelluccio M, Galli G, Santilli S, Soligo M, Tuccimei P (2019) Integrating radon and thoron flux data with gamma radiation mapping in radon-prone areas. The case of volcanic outcrops in a highly-urbanized city (Roma, Italy). J Environ Radioact 202(February):41–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.02.004
  • Miklyaev PS, Petrova TB, Makeev VM, Kazeev AI, Petrova OA (2013) Role of microstructure in clay emanation. Water Resour 40(7):746–751. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807813070099
  • Moreno V, Bach J, Baixeras C, Font L (2014) Radon levels in groundwaters and natural radioactivity in soils of the volcanic region of La Garrotxa, Spain. J Environ Radioact 128:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.10.021
  • Moura CL, Artur AC, Bonotto DM, Guedes S, Martinelli CD (2011) Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rate in Brazilian igneous rocks. Appl Radiat Isot 69(7):1094–1099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2011.03.004
  • Műllerová M, Mazur J, Blahušiak P, Grządziel D, Holý K, Kovács T, Kozak K, Csordás A, Neznal M, Neznal M, Shahrokhi A (2016) Indoor radon activity concentration in thermal spas: the comparison of three types of passive radon detectors. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 310(3):1077–1084. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4961-8
  • Mwitondi K, Al Sadig I, Hassona R, Taylor C, Yousef A (2018) Statistical estimate of radon concentration from passive and active detectors in Doha. Data 3(3):1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/data3030022
  • Ngachin M, Garavaglia M, Giovani C, Kwato Njock MG, Nourreddine A (2008) Radioactivity level and soil radon measurement of a volcanic area in Cameroon. J Environ Radioact 99(7):1056–1060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.12.022
  • Padilla GD, Hernández PA, Padrõn E, Barrancos J, Pérez NM, Melián G, Nolasco D, Dionis S, Rodríguez F, Calvo D, Hernández I (2013) Soil gas radon emissions and volcanic activity at El Hierro (Canary Islands): the 2011–2012 submarine eruption. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 14(2):432–447. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GC004375
  • Padrón E, Padilla G, Hernández PA, Pérez NM, Calvo D, Nolasco D, Barrancos J, Melián GV, Dionis S, Rodríguez F (2013) Soil gas geochemistry in relation to eruptive fissures on Timanfaya volcano, Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands, Spain). J Volcanol Geoth Res 250:91–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.10.013
  • Petropoulos NP, Anagnostakis MJ, Simopoulos SE (2002) Photon attenuation, natural radioactivity content and radon exhalation rate of building materials. J Environ Radioact 61(3):257–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(01)00132-1
  • Quindós LS, Sainz C, Fuente I, Fernández A, Celaya S, Rábago D, Quindós L, Fernández E, López D, Quindós J, Gutiérrez M (2019) Manual: Cuestiones que Delegados/as de Prevención han de conocer sobre el gas radón. Blanca Impresores SL. p. 102
  • Ruano-Ravina A, Narocki C, López-Jacob MJ, García Oliver A, de la C Calle Tierno M, Peón-González J, Barros-Dios JM (2018) Indoor radon in Spanish workplaces. A pilot study before the introduction of the European directive 2013/59/Euratom. Gac Sanit 33(6):563–567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2018.05.006
  • Sainz C, Rábago D, Fuente I, Celaya S, Quindós LS (2016) Description of the behavior of an aquifer by using continuous radon monitoring in a thermal spa. Sci Total Environ 543:460–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.052
  • Santamarta JC, Hernández-Gutiérrez LE, Rodríguez-Martín J, Marrero R, Lario Bascones RJ, Morales Á, Cruz-Pérez N (2020a) Radon measurements in water galleries in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Air Qual Atmos Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00882-y
  • Santamarta JC, Hernández-Gutiérrez LE, Rodríguez-Martín J, Lario-Bascones RJ, Morales-González-Moro Á, Cruz-Pérez N (2020b) Radon measurements in groundwater mines in La Palma and El Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain). Arch Min Sci 65(4):864–876. https://doi.org/10.24425/ams.2020.135182
  • Sesana L, Polla G, Facchini U, De Capitani L (2005) Radon-prone areas in the Lombard plain. J Environ Radioact 82(1):51–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2004.12.004
  • Skubacz K, Wysocka M, Michalik B, Dziurzyński W, Krach A, Krawczyk J, Pałka T (2019) Modelling of radon hazards in underground mine workings. Sci Total Environ 695:133853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133853
  • Thu HNP, Thang NV, Loan TTH, Dong NV, Hao LC (2019) Natural radioactivity and radon emanation coefficient in the soil of Ninh Son region, Vietnam. Appl Geochem 104(March):176–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.03.019
  • WHO (2014) WHO handbook on indoor radon: a public health perspective p 110