Waterborne radon in seven Maine schools

This study investigated the transfer coefficient of radon from water to air in kitchens and bathrooms for seven schools located in Maine. Simulations occurred in water use rooms containing multiple airborne radon detectors. Quantities measured included radon concentration in water (10-960 Bq L(-1), 260-26,000 pCi L(-1)), air (0-3 Bq L(-1), 0-80 pCi L(-1)), volume of water used, emissivities (0.04-0.98), and ventilation rates (0.012-0.066 min). Using these parameters provides the means for calculating the transfer coefficient and by which dose due to waterborne radon can be estimated in other schools. Transfer coefficient values calculated for kitchens and baths ranged from 9.6 x 10(-6) to 2.0 x 10(-2). Multiple detectors showed that the radon concentration varied throughout a room. These measurements represent the first of this type to be done in schools in Maine.