Title: Mitigation of workplace radon gas concentration using high-performance epoxy resin coating

Authors: Mohammed Husham Al-janabi; Mohamad Suhaimi Jaafar; Asmiet Ramizy; Khalid Omar; Yaman Walid Kassab

Addresses: Department of Medical Physics, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia ' Department of Medical Physics, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia ' Department of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq ' College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al-Mawz, Oman ' Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: The indoor radon gas released from concrete was measured using a 0.65 × 0.65 × 0.65 m fabricated concrete slab room, simulating a workplace. The indoor radon gas concentration was monitored, and the remediation method was examined. Radon concentrations were monitored using Radon Monitor Model 1023 from Sun Nuclear. Results show that average radon concentrations reached 111 Bq.m⁻³ before remediation, beyond the World Health Organization's acceptable limit of 100 Bq.m⁻³. Hence, two layers of high-performance waterborne epoxy resin TRU-GLAZE-WB 4030 coating were applied, reducing the radon concentration average to an acceptable level of 14.8 Bq.m⁻³. Interestingly, the indoor radon concentrations were measured two months after applying the remediation and were found to be stable and within acceptable levels.

Keywords: workplace radon gas; mitigation; high performance coatings; epoxy resin coating; indoor radon gas; radon concentration; remediation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2013.055603

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2013 Vol.9 No.2, pp.119 - 126

Received: 09 Apr 2012
Accepted: 16 Apr 2013
Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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