Study, measurement and mitigation of radon activity concentration in the School of Computer Science of A Coruna in the North West of Spain

A study of the radon activity concentration was carried out at the School of Computer Science of 'Universidade da Coruna' (UDC, Spain). For this purpose, building location, the type of soil and the construction materials were analysed. Subsequently, the radon activity concentration was determined using two different techniques: measurement in situ with an on-site ionization chamber detector (short term) and measurement with trace detectors (long term). Based on the results obtained, and according with the Spanish Law (Spanish Official Bulletin-Boletin Oficial del Estado, of 21 December 2011, IS-33 Instruction), corrective works were performed, consisting on the installation of a forced ventilation system underneath the extent of the suspended floor in order to mitigate the high radon specific activity in the building. Four months and 3 years after the works, new measurements were carried out in order to verify the effectiveness of the new ventilation system, obtaining a decrease of the radon gas values ranging between 87% and 90%, which confirmed long term effectivity.

Automated summary

The study conducted at the School of Computer Science of 'Universidade da Coruna' in Spain measured the radon activity concentration using two different techniques and performed corrective works based on the results. After the installation of a new ventilation system, measurements taken four months and three years later showed a decrease in radon gas values ranging between 87% and 90%.