Indoor Radon Progeny Aerosol Size Measurements in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Regions

Abstract

By using direct and indirect methods, we conducted size distribution measurements of radon progeny particles in a variety of indoor environments in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The radon progeny particle size distribution owing to indoor activities has two definable source categories: (1) gas combustion from stoves and kerosene heaters–particles were found to be smaller than 0.1 μm in diameter, mostly in the range 0.02–0.08 μm; and (2) cigarette smoking and food frying—particles were found to be larger, in the size range 0.1–0.2 μm. The radon progeny particle size distribution, without significant indoor activities, such as cooking, was found to be larger in rural areas than in urban or suburban areas. The modal diameters of the size spectra in the rural areas were two to three times larger than those in urban or suburban areas, around 0.3–0.4 vs. 0.1–0.2 μm. Results obtained by applying the attachment theory to the measured number-weighted size spectra from an electrical aerosol size analyzer support this rinding. These results, if confirmed by more extensive studies, will be useful for the assessment of the risk from the inhalation of radon progeny in various indoor environments.