Radon potential mapping of the Tralee-Castleisland and Cavan areas (Ireland) based on airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and geology

Appleton, J.D.; Doyle, E.; Fenton, D.; Organo, C.. 2011 Radon potential mapping of the Tralee-Castleisland and Cavan areas (Ireland) based on airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and geology. Journal of Radiological Protection, 31 (2). 221-235. 10.1088/0952-4746/31/2/002

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Official URL: http://iopscience.iop.org/0952-4746/31/2/002/

Abstract/Summary

The probability of homes in Ireland having high indoor radon concentrations is estimated on the basis of known in-house radon measurements averaged over 10 km × 10 km grid squares. The scope for using airborne gamma-ray spectrometer data for the Tralee–Castleisland area of county Kerry and county Cavan to predict the radon potential (RP) in two distinct areas of Ireland is evaluated in this study. Airborne data are compared statistically with in-house radon measurements in conjunction with geological and ground permeability data to establish linear regression models and produce radon potential maps. The best agreement between the percentage of dwellings exceeding the reference level (RL) for radon concentrations in Ireland (% > RL), estimated from indoor radon data, and modelled RP in the Tralee–Castleisland area is produced using models based on airborne gamma-ray spectrometry equivalent uranium (eU) and ground permeability data. Good agreement was obtained between the % > RL from indoor radon data and RP estimated from eU data in the Cavan area using terrain specific models. In both areas, RP maps derived from eU data are spatially more detailed than the published 10 km grid map. The results show the potential for using airborne radiometric data for producing RP maps.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1088/0952-4746/31/2/002
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > Land Use, Planning and Development
ISSN:	0952-4746
Date made live:	01 Jul 2011 13:46 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14599

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1088/0952-4746/31/2/002

Programmes:

BGS Programmes 2010 > Land Use, Planning and Development

ISSN:

0952-4746

Date made live:

01 Jul 2011 13:46 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14599