Studies of the radon progeny particle size distributions in the domestic environment. Epidemiological and dosimetric dose estimates

Atoms of the radon daughters immediately after the radioactive decay of radon atoms have tendency to attach to condensation nuclei producing radioactive aerosols. Aerosols of size below 10 nm, composed of unattached ions or neutral atoms and molecular clusters associated with radon progeny atoms, are traditionally called unattached fraction. Aerosols above 10 nm up to greater than 1000 nm, with a predominant size between 50 and 500 nm, are called attached fraction. It is estimated that equivalent dose to the lung from radon gas is only about one hundredth of that from its short-lived daughters which constitute the main health hazard to the human respiratory tract in the radon environment. The effective dose, a measure of this hazard, is calculated as a product of the potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) in the air and a dose conversion factor (DCF) or dose per unit intake. There are two approaches to the estimation of DCF. One of them, recommended by the International Radiation Protection Committee Publication 65 [5] introduces Studies of the radon progeny particle size distributions in the domestic environment. Epidemiological and dosimetric dose estimates Kalina Mamont-Cieśla, Olga Stawarz