The weather dependence of particle size distribution of indoor radioactive aerosol associated with radon decay products

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2011 Jul;146(1-3):19-22. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr097. Epub 2011 Apr 26.

Abstract

This study was performed to measure the activity size distribution of aerosol particles associated with short-lived radon decay products in indoor air at Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan. The measurements were performed using a low pressure Andersen cascade impactor under variable meteorological conditions. The results showed that the greatest activity fraction was associated with aerosol particles in the accumulation size range (100-1000 nm) with a small fraction of nucleation mode (10-100 nm). Regarding the influence of the weather conditions, the decrease in the number of accumulation particles was observed clearly after rainfall without significant change in nucleation particles, which may be due to a washout process for the large particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols*
  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor*
  • Japan
  • Particle Size
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Radon Daughters / analysis*
  • Weather

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon Daughters
  • Radon