Radon exposures from the use of natural gas in buildings

Low levels of natural radioactivity in the ground produce radon-222 and its decay products which can be entrained with gas streams and become distributed with gas supplies to commercial and domestic users. Levels of radon in blended gas received by most users are comparable with the levels that are present naturally in buildings as a result of ingress from the ground and this is further diluted during the combustion process. For typical rates of gas usage with an average radon level of about 200 Bq x m(-3), the estimated dose from the use of natural gas is estimated at 4 microSv, less than 1% of the dose from radon exposure at the average level in UK homes. Commercial users may receive somewhat higher doses, and the estimate for a critical group is a few tens of microsievert. The total radon emission to the environment is estimated at about 10(13) Bq x y(-1) which represents less than 10(-4) of the natural emission rate from the ground. There is some variability of radon levels in gas from different sources and it would be prudent to keep this source of exposure under review. A standard sampling and measurement protocol has been developed in conjunction with a technical group representing the industry.