Cartographic Analysis of the Radon Situation in the Environment
Cartographic Analysis of the Radon Situation in the Environment

Author(s): Renat Apkin
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Geography, Regional studies, Environmental Geography, Applied Geography, Sociology, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Editura Lumen, Asociatia Lumen
Keywords: radon;lung cancer; hazard;cartographic analysis;environmental surveys;hygienic assessment;
Summary/Abstract: According to UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations), no less than 10% of lung cancer diseases registered annually are caused by radon radiation. Born in the belly of the earth, the same gas, a class I cancirogen, increases the risk of non-cancerous diseases of the upper respiratory tract and cardiovascular diseases. The radon problem occupies an important place in the radioecological programs of the USA, Japan, Western Europe and Russia.However, the natural radiation varies in the background from location to location.In many countries, survey work is being carried out, including an assessment of the intensity of the radon hazards of sites allocated for construction.In Russia, the Radiation Safety Standards are stipulating that the concentration of radon in the air of residential premises should not exceed 200 Bq/m3; in Sweden, the maximum radon concentration is taken as 100 Bq/m3, in Finland and Canada - 400 Bq/m3, and in Germany and Great Britain - 200 Bq/m3. It is necessary to carefully choose the constructive site, with the minimum concentration of radon in the soil.Our purpose is to carry out a cartographic analysis of radon intake from soil in the territory of Kazan. An important component is the creation of unique maps based on the measurement of radon escalation.The practical significance of the work lies in the application of the results for making management decisions, in engineering and environmental surveys, for conducting hygienic assessments, or simply being used by citizens for informational purposes.

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