Abstract

Measurements are presented of indoor radon levels made in a prototype house constructed partly of bauxite waste (red mud) and partly of conventional materials. The mud used contains higher than the average amounts of 226Ra and 232Th found in local building materials. The rates of exhalation of radon from the material used in the construction of the house are measured and employed with measured air change rates to make estimates of the average contribution of the various materials to the measured radon levels indoors. There is fairly good agreement between the two. The increment of radon related dose equivalents above background are also estimated and these are combined with previously determined gamma dose equivalents and used as a basis for assessing the acceptability of the practice of using red mud as a building material.

This content is only available as a PDF.
You do not currently have access to this article.