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EPA Review Notice
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and approved for publication. Approval does not
signify that the contents necessarily reflect the Views and
policies of the EPA, nor does mention of trade names or commer-
cial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
4 Tº
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Technical Note
ORP/EERF-79–l
A Study of Radon-222 Released from Water
During Typical Household Activities
J. E. Partridge
T. R. Horton
E. L. Sen Sintaffar
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
Office of Radiation Programs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P. O. Box 3009 -
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
March 1979
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Radiation Programs
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
ABSTRACT
Small quantities of radon-222 can be found in all ground water
from natural sources as a result of decay of radium-226 both in
Water and the soils and soil matrix surrounding the Water. Radon in
drinking Water has previously been considered a source of radiation
exposure primarily from an ingestion standpoint. However, the EPA,
Office of Radiation Programs, is investigating the potential for
exposure to individuals from inhalation of gaseous radon released
from Water.
This report describes the results of a study to determine the
fraction of radon released from water during typical household
activities such as clothes Washing, dishwashing, showering, etc.,
and estimates the potential radon concentration in air and result-
ing Working levels in structures.
CONTENTS
Page
Abstract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
List of Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iV
List of Figures © & © 6 & & 6 (3 & © & 0 & 9 o Q & Q & © 9 @ e º e & S gº Q e 69 e 6 & © to gº & & © o e º Q & e g c & e º e º & © V
I. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
II. Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
III. Counting Technique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV. Experimental Setup and Sampling Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
W. Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VI. Modeling Radon in a Closed Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
VII. Summary and Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 13
Appendices
A. Radon in Water Sampling Procedures. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-l
B. FORTRAN Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Tables
1. ***Rn in Water Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. ***Rn Released by Clothes Washer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. ***Rn Released by Other Household Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4. Individual Water Usage Rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Daily Composite Radon Source Term. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
iV
º
| A.
2A.
3A.
4A.
5A.
6A.
7A.
Figures
Page
Daily radon concentration and Working level With time. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Sensitivity analyses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | ]
Average radon and Working level variations With different average
radon Water Concentrations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Radon in Water - Sampling kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Radon Sampling kit - Close-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
Connect tube to Water Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
All OW Water to Slowly collect in funnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
Withdrawing Water Sample With Syringe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Eject air bubbles and exceSS Water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Inject Sample into Sample Vial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-9
I. Introduction
Radon-222 is an inert, noble gas formed by radioactive decay of
radium-226. Radon-222 also undergoes radioactive decay by emission
of alpha particles with a characteristic half-life of 3.82 days (1).
Decay products of radon” include a series of short half-life radio-
active isotopes including alpha, beta, and gamma emitters. All
progeny are associated With particulates.
Small quantities of radon can be found in all ground Water from
natural sources as a result of decay of radium both in Water and the
rock and soil matrix surrounding the Water. The concentration of
radon in ground Water may far exceed that of radium in the Water
because gaseous radon can migrate from the Solid matrix into under-
ground aquifers. Measurements of radon in Water from selected water
sources, including primarily thermal springs, were recorded as early
as 1905 (2). These measurements showed a large Variation in radon
concentration between different thermal springs. Radon in water
from many other areas has been measured since that time, and the re-
Sults reported in various publications (3–6). A summary of the find-
ings from these and several other studies was prepared by Duncan,
et al., for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (7). These
reports indicate concentrations of radon in potable water supply
systems ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 pCi/l. Specific geographic areas
shown to have such high concentrations include Maine, North Carolina,
Texas, Arkansas, Florida, and Utah. -
Radon in drinking water has previously been considered a source
of radiation exposure primarily from an ingestion standpoint. However,
the EPA, Office of Radiation Programs (ORP), is investigating the
potential for exposure to individuals from inhalation of gaseous radon
released from Water by Various household and commercial processes.
Dose estimates in the literature have also been based on radon progeny
ingested With Water. More recent data indicate that inhalation of
radon and radon progeny may produce significantly higher exposures (7).
To accurately predict the potential exposure from radon inhalation, it
is necessary to have knowledge of the concentrations of radon in a
Water supply and what percentage of this radon is released by typical
Water uses, i.e., showers, dishwashers, clothes washers, etc. To
obtain the latter information, the Eastern Environmental Radiation
Facility (EERF) has investigated some typical residential water uses
to determine the portion of radon released.
II. Objectives
The objectives of this study were to measure the fraction of
radon released during typical household activities such as clothes
Washing, dishwashing, showering, etc., and to estimate the potential
* In this report, the term "radon" refers to radon-222.
rado, concentrations in surrounding air and resulting Working levels
(WL)” in structures.
To accomplish these objectives, the EPA, EERF mobile lab was
outfitted With a clothes washer and dishwasher, and a field trip was
made to Polk County, Florida. Previous studies had shown elevated
levels of radon in Water which were associated with the phosphate
deposits in the area.
III. Counting Technique and Calibration
The concentrations of radon in Water were determined by using
a liquid Scintillation technique similar to the procedure described
by Prichard and Gesell (8). The technique involves the introduction
of 10 ml of water to be analyzed for radon into a liquid scintilla-
tion vial containing 10 ml of liquid scintillation counting solution.
The mixture is then sealed and agitated and held for three hours to
allow the short-lived radon daughters to reach equilibrium before
Counting. A Single sample liquid Scintil lation counter was used in
the mobile laboratory for sample analysis.
Calibration of the counting System was accomplished by preparing
several liquid Scintil lation vials with 10 ml of the mix and 10 ml of
radium-226 in Water solution of known concentrations. These mixtures
were then sealed and held for a minimum period of 30 days to allow
the radon to reach equilibrium with the radium. Concentration of
radium-226 used for calibration ranged from 0.8 pCi/ml to 3.6 pCi/ml.
The calibration factor, using a broad spectrum counting procedure was
determined to be 10. 1 counts/min/pCi. The limit of detection for a
50-min. count and 10-ml sample was determined to be 0.16 pCi (9,10).
IV. Experimental Setup and Sampling Procedures
A. Supply Samples
To determine the radon removal fractions by the various
household applications, it was first necessary to determine the
concentration of radon in the incoming Water supply. Supply
samples were collected in accordance With the procedures out-
lined in Appendix A. By collecting the samples in this manner
loss of radon to the air is minimized. Five supplies were Sam-
pled and analyzed during this Study.
B. Clothes Washer and Dishwasher
Special plumbing was designed and constructed to allow
the clothes washer and dishwasher installed in the EERF mobile
laboratory to discharge in a normal manner into a glass p-trap
* Working level is defined as any combination of radon daughters in one
liter of air that will result in the ultimate emission of 1.3 x 10°
MeV of potential alpha energy.
which was used as a sampling point. Samples Were collected from
the p-trap by inserting a hypodermic needle through a rubber
septum in the bottom of the trap. The samples were injected into
the sample vials as described earlier and analyzed using the li-
quid scintillation counter. Samples were collected from the trap
following each of the various clothes and dishwasher Wash and
rinse cycles. Other variables such as Water temperature, amount
of detergent added, and length of Wash or rinse cycles Were
examined. Identical studies were performed at several locations
With varying concentrations of radon in the supply Water.
Tub, ShoWer, Toilet, and Sink
To determine the radon released by a tub, shower, toilet,
and sink, three homes were selected which had Water supplies With
elevated radon in water concentrations. -
Radon released by the shower was determined by (1) operating
the shower for several minutes with the drain open, (2) closing
the drain, (3) turning off the shower, and (4) collecting a Sam-
ple from the bottom of the shower using a hypodermic needle as
described earlier. The concentration in this sample was compared
to the concentration in the Supply Water before exposure to the
atmosphere to determine the percent removed.
A similar experiment was performed With a tub. The tub Was
filled with Water to a normal bathing level, and the Water was
agitated to simulate bathing. All of the Water was drained from
the tub except a small portion from which a sample was collected
With a hypodermic needle. The concentration in this sample was
compared with the supply concentration.
Samples were collected from the toilet bowl and tank before
and after flushing and refilling to determine the amount of radon
released to the air by this operation.
Radon released by running Water into a sink was also deter-
mined. The sink was partially filled and the Water agitated.
The majority of the water was drained and a sample was collected
from the remaining water with a hypodermic needle.
W. Results
A.
Supply Concentrations
Radon-222 concentrations in the various Water supplies Sam-
pled during this study are shown in table 1. These five supplies
were all private Wells that served from 1 to 10 families. No
information was available concerning the depth of the Wells.
Table
Radon-222 in Water Supplies
***Rn Concentration
Wate? Supply pCi/1 + 2 o
* . Trailer park and residence 4,148 + 203 (1)
2 Campground 2,955 + 260 (1)
3 Service Station 5,014 + 117 (2)
4 Welding shop 5,356 + 327 (2)
5 Private residence 8,649 + 442 (2)
(i) Mean of 10 samples.
f
(
2
)
Mean of 4 samples.
B.
Radon-222 Removal Experiment
1.
Clothes Washer
The clothes Washer used in these experiments had two
cycles, regular and gentle. The regular cycle had a maximum
agitation period of 18 minutes followed by a short rinse
cycle. The gentle cycle Was similar to the regular cycle
except the degree of agitation was less. The lengths of
agitation and the Water temperatures were variable on both
Wash cycles. The lengths of the rinse cycles Were preset in
both cases and the rinse cycles used cold Water.
Radon released by clothes Washing as a function of
several parameters is shown in table 2. The length and
degree of agitation appear to have a significant effect on
radon removal as evidenced by the difference in the regular
and gentle cycle results and the difference in the 18-, 11-,
and 4-minute agitation periods. There also appears to be a
difference in removal as a function of Water temperature.
The addition of soap to the Water did not appear to have any
significant effect.
Dishwasher
The dishwasher used in these studies had two Wash cycles
and four rinse cycles. Samples were collected following both
Wash and rinse cycles. The results, as shown in table 3,
showed no significant difference in radon release between the
Wash and the rinse cycles.
Tub, Shower, and Sink
The three homes Visited during this study had two
showers and only one tub/shower combination. The results of
these experiments are shown in table 3. Water temperature
again appeared to have significant effect on the radon re-
leased in the tub use. Only one sink experiment Was per-
formed during this study with the results given in table 3.
Toilet
These experiments were performed by flushing the toilet
and allowing the tank to refill with fresh supply water. A
sample was collected from the tank and the toilet was flushed
a Second time. After the tank and bowl had refilled, a Sam-
ple was collected from the bowl. These radon release results
for the two stages of flushing are shown in table 3.
Table 2
***Rn Released by Clothes Washer
Wash Parameter % Rn Released # 2 o
Hot Wash cycle (18 min.) With soap 98.4 + 1.3
Hot Wash cycle (18 min.) without soap 97.9 + 2.7
Cold Wash cycle (18 min.) With soap 93.3 + 5.2
Cold Wash cycle (18 min.) Without soap 93.5 + 3.4
Warm Wash cycle (18 min.) With soap 98.3
Cold Wash cycle (11 min.) With soap 9] .. 4
Cold Wash cycle (4 min.) With soap 84.7
Cold Wash gentle-cycle With Soap 78.7
Cold Wash gentle-cycle Without soap 76.6
Cold rinse regular cycle 80.9 + 17.4
Cold rinse gentle cycle 62.2 -
Table 3
***Rn Released by Other Household Applications
Applications * Rn Released it 2 o
Dishwasher
Wash cycle 97.7 + 3.7
Rinse cycle 98.5 + 2.l
Tub
Hot water 59.7
Warm Water 36.2
Cold Water 37.8
Shower (warm) 71.2 + 4.7
Sink (Warm) 28. 3
COmmOde
Tank 4.9 + 11.3
BOWl 23.6 + 6.5
WI.
Modeling Radon in a Closed Structure
Since the quantity of radon-222 in potable Water supplies ranges
over several orders of magnitude, a generalized model Will be pre-
sented with several examples of how certain variables affect the amount
of radon in a closed structure and the resulting daughter distribution.
No attempt has been made to show the influence of running a central air
conditioning system, Window air conditioner or fan, or any other air
moving device on the indoor radon concentration except by Varying the
Ventilation rate, i.e., air changes/hr. Furthermore, radon daughter
plate out and filtration are not included in this assessment which
makes the Working level estimates conservative since Working level
Values are dependent on daughter concentrations.
A FORTRAN program (Appendix B) entitled WLSIMO (Working level
simulation output) was developed to run on the EERF PDP-11 minicomputer.
This program numerically solves a series of first order linear differ-
ential equations known as the Batement equations. The output format
includes radon concentration (pCi/l) and Working level at time (t), and
the average radon concentration (pCi/l) and working level for the total
period of interest. A sample input for WLSIMO can be found in Appendix
B.
To estimate the buildup of radon and its progeny in a home from
potable Water supplies, the typical Water usage rates in a household
situation must be known. These rates are given in table 4 in units of
gallons per day per person (gpdpp) with an average individual usage
rate of 20 to 80 gpdpp (11). This information was combined with the
radon release data for each household water use (tables 2 & 3) and
typical radon in Water concentrations to determine the potential radon
release for a typical residence.
As mentioned before, several examples Will be given to show a gen-
eral range of what might be expected in the buildup of radon and its
daughters. Table 5 describes a plausible situation involving a family
of four in which typical household uses of Water are included.
The radon source term is expressed in units of pCi/1-min. This
particular unit is needed in modeling the radon buildup in a closed
structure. In physical terms, it can be thought of as an incremental
radon concentration increase in air per minute. For example, a source
term of 0.06 pCi/1-min represents an increase in radon concentration in
air of 0.06 pCi/l every minute.
Figure 1 demonstrates the daily cyclic nature of the radon concen–
tration and Working level resulting from a radon in Water concentration
of 10,000 pCi/l. The radon concentration and working level values are
instantaneous values for a given time of day. It was assumed that both
Values were zero at and before 7:00 a.m. The maximum radon concentra-
tion occurred at 9:00 p.m. With a corresponding maximum Working level
Value at about 10:00 p.m. The average radon concentration and Working
7
Start-
Stop —
Start-
Stop-
Start-
Stop-
Table 4
Individual Water Usage Rates
Total
Grand Total
148 gal. (560 l) –
Source Term,
(pCi/1-min)
0.06
0.033
Radon Source Water Usage Rate (gal/day/person (11)
Washing machine 20–30
Washing dishes 8-10
Bath 30–40
Shower 20-30
Toilet 4- 6
Table 5
Daily Composite Radon Source Term
Source, Quantity (gal.) Rn,
0700 (7:00 am) ShOWer 25 .7]
0730 (7:30 am) Toilet 12 (4 people .28
. X 3 gal.)
Total {º *
0900 (9:00 am) Washing 25 .95
1000 (10:00 am) Machine
2000 (8:00 pm) Bath 35 .50
2100 (9:00 pm) Toilet 12 (4 people .28
X 3 gal.)
Washing dishes 9 .98
Bath or ShoWer
(2 children) 30 . 60
0.066
*[radon] water = 10,000 pſi/1; house volume = 4.53X10°l (corresponds to a
2,000 ft.” house)
[radon] H2O = 10,000 poi/ <-
| | | |
& house volume =435 x 10° corresponding to 2000ft.” 3
sº ventilation rate =0.25 air change/hr ſ co
- -
ÖC) --- | - 5
~ co
Ç
{{ } Lſ)
- ck
CN: 3
~ cu
§ {T}
Ö) Lſ)
c -- - - - - - ---------- - - ~
Qº)
{{C} º
o ~
C.)
cº lſº
c - -------------- r;
3 i **** 3
c ; : {...}
0000 0200 0400 0600 0800 1000 200 1 400 600 + 3OO 2000 2200 2400
Time of Day
tº:
Figure 1. Daily rador, concentration and working jewel with time.

VII.
level value for the 24-hr. period are 0.97 pCi/l and 0.0074, respec-
tively.
The effects of Varying Ventilation rates with constant house volume
and Varying house Volumes With constant ventilation rates are shown in
figure 2. The average radon concentration and Working level decreases
With increasing Ventilation rate if the house Volume is held constant.
Similarly, as the house Volume increases, holding the ventilation rate
Constant, the average radon concentration and Working level decreases.
Figure 3 graphically exhibits the change in average WL and radon
concentration With varying average radon Water concentrations with a
constant ventilation rate of one air change per hour and a constant
Volume of 3.4 x 10° 1 corresponding to a 1500 ft“ house. As the aver-
age radon in Water concentration increases, the average radon concen-
tration in air and WL increase proportionately. Figures 2 and 3 are
based on the Water usage presented in table 5.
A recent paper by Gesell and Prichard (1978) (12) models radon in
a home situation. Results similar to the ones presented in this paper
are given. An even more recent modeling effort was undertaken by
O'Connell and Gilgan (1978) (? 3) for radon bearing geothermal waters.
Even though three different modeling approaches were used, the average
radon concentrations predicted by each model (Gesell and Prichard, (12)
O'Connell and Gilgan, (13) and this paper) are nearly the same if the
Same parametric values are used as input.
Summary and Conclusions
No attempt has been made to transform the radon concentrations in
air and/or working level to dose and/or health effects. The primary
objective of this study Was to determine radon release fractions for
typical Water uses for use in modeling efforts to estimate the potential
exposure levels in a typical residence. The techniques used for meas-
urement of radon released from Water seemed Somewhat crude in Some cases;
however, the results agree well with other similar experiences and com-
mon sense expectations. In general, the results indicate that agitation
and heating both increase the release of gaseous radon from Water.
There was some surprise that even a small amount of agitation, i.e. ,
running water into a sink or through a shower, did not cause complete
release of all radon. Additional measurements of this type Will be
performed as a part of a continuing study of radon exposure from
natural sources. The EERF, in cooperation with many state and local
health departments, is presently conducting a Survey of radon concen-
trations in selected public Water supplies throughout the country.
10
=
COnStant VOlume
(3.4 x 10°l corresponding to 1500ft house)
10 1.5
8 1.2
g
3.
co E.
O 6 0.9 92.
Y- O-
× (D
—l P.
E –
-C
4 0.6 O
>
2 0.3
O
.0 .5 - 1.0 1.5 2.0
Air Change/hr
cº
:
Figure 2. Sensitivity
10
constant ventilation rate
(1 air change/hr)
Volume (1) x 10°
Note: [Rn) H2O=10,000 pci/
Analyses.
1.5
1
2
0.
9
0.
6
0.3
|


1
3::
*
-* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
º|
* * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * | * * * * * * * * . . . . * * * * * * * * * : * * * * * * *
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I.:::) . . . . . ] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
r ºr - - ? • .
* * * * * * * *
* * * * *
# * * * * *
10 2 s 4 s 6 s 10° 2 s 4 s 6 6 10° 2 3 4 5 s a 10° 2 3 4 5 6 s 10° 2
[Rn] water,pCi/
3 4 5 s a 10°
Figure 3. Average radon and working level variations with
different average radon water concentrations.
12

10.
T 1.
12.
13.
REFERENCES
Radiological Health Handbook, PHS Publication No. 2016, p. 363,
January 1970.
BOLTW00D, B. B. On the radioactive properties of the water of the
springs on the Hot Springs Reservation, Hot Springs, Arkansas;
Amer. Jour. Sci., 4th Ser. , W. 20, p. 128-132 (1905).
KURODA, P. K., P. E. DAMON, and H. I. HYDE. Radioactivity of the
Spring Waters of Hot Springs National Park and Vicinity in Arkansas.
Amer. Jour. Sci., Wol. 252, February 1954, pp. 76–86.
SMITH, B. M., W. N. GRUNE, F. B. HIGGINS, JR. , and J. G. TERRILL, JR.
Natural Radioactivity in Ground Water Supplies in Maine and New
Hampshire. Jour. American Water Works Asso., Wol. 53, No. 1, January
1961, pp. 75–88.
ALDRICH, LESTER KYLE, III, M. K. SASSER, and D. A. CONNERS, IW.
Evaluations of Radon Concentrations in North Carolina Ground Water
Supplies, Dept. of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services,
Radiation Protection Branch, Raleigh, North Carolina, January 1975.
O'CONNELL, M. F. and R. F. KAUFMANN. Radioactivity Associated with
Geothermal Waters in the Western United States, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Technical Note, ORP/LW-75-8A, March 1976.
DUNCAN, D. L., T. F. GESELL, and R. H. JOHNSON, JR. Radon-222 in
Potable Water, Proceedings of the Health Physics Society 10th
Midyear Topical Symposium: Natural Radioactivity in Man's Environment,
October 1976. -
PRICHARD, H. M. and T. F. GESELL, Rapid Measurements of ***Rn
Concentrations in Water with a Commercial Liquid Scintil lation Counter,
Health Physics, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 577-581, December 1977.
ALTSHULER, B. and B. PASTERNACK. Statistical Measures of the Lower
Limit of Detection of a Radiation Counter, Health Physics 9, 293, 1963.
CURRIE, LOYD A. Limits for Qualitative Detection and Quantitative
Determination - Application to Radiochemistry, Analytical Chemistry,
Col. 40, No. 3, March 1968, pp. 586-593.
Water Use in the United States. U.S. Department of Interior.
GESELL, T. F. and H. M. PRICHARD. The Contribution of Radon in Tap
Water to Indoor Radon Concentration. Book of Summaries The Natural
Radiation Environment III. Houston, TX, April 1978.
0'CONNELL, M. F. and G. A. GILGAN. Radioactivity Associated with
Geothermal Waters in the Western United States. A Modeling Effort to
Calculate Working Levels of Radon-222 and its Progeny for Nonelectrical
Applications. USEPA Technical Note. ORP/LW-75-8B, 1978.
13
Appendix A
Radon in Water Sampling Procedures
Sampling kits (figures 1-A and 2-A) are small lightweight carrying cases
complete with all materials necessary for collecting potable Water Sam-
ples for radon-222 analysis.
Each kit contains the following equipment:
1 - sampling funnel and tube with standard faucet fitting
1 - slip-on faucet adapter -
2 - 20-ml syringes
2 - 18-gauge, 2-inch hypodermic needles
20 to 30 – glass Scintil lation Vials with 10-ml Solution, each
Sample Collection
l.
Attach the sampling funnel and tube to a faucet with either the
standard faucet fitting or adapter (figure 3-A).
Slowly turn on the water and allow a steady Stream to flow out
of the funnel for approximately 2 minutes. This purges the tube
and assures a fresh Sample.
Reduce the flow of Water and invert the funnel (figure 4-A). The
flow Should be adjusted to a level that does not cause turbulence
in the pool of Water contained in the funnel. Allow excess Water
to spill over one edge of the funnel.
Examine the hose connection and tubing for air bubbles or pockets.
If these are Visible, raise or lower the funnel until they are re-
moved.
Place the tip of the hypodermic needle approximately 3 cm under the
Surface of the Water in the funnel and Withdraw a few ml of Water
and eject this water. Using this procedure, rinse the syringe and
hypodermic needle two or three times.
Again, place the tip of the needle approximately 3 cm below the
surface of the water and withdraw 12 to 15 ml (figure 5–A).
NOTE: The Water should be pulled into the syringe slowly to avoid
extreme turbulence and Collection of air bubbles. If large air
bubbles are noticed in the syringe, the sample should be ejected
and redrawn.
10.
Invert the Syringe and slowly eject any small air bubbles and
extra water (figure 6–A). Retain precisely 10 ml of Water in
the Syringe.
Remove the cap from a vial and carefully place the tip of the
needle into the bottom of the liquid scintil lation solution
(figure 7-A). Slowly eject the Water from the syringe into the
Vial. NOTE: The Water is injected under the liquid scintil la-
tion solution to prevent loss of radon from the sample. If the
Water is forced out of the syringe with much pressure, it will
cause turbulence in the solution and could result in loss of
radon.
Carefully withdraw the hypodermic needle from the Vial and re-
place the cap. The cap should be tightly secured to prevent
leakage.
Repeat the previous steps to obtain two separate samples from
each source. This completes the sample collection.
A-2
-
Figure 1A. Radon in water - sampling kit.

A-3
Radon sampling kit - close-up.
Figure 2A.
A-4

Figure 3A. Connect tube to water supply.

A-5
Allow water to slowly collect in funnel.
Figure 4A.
A-6

Withdrawing water sample with syringe.
Figure 5A.

A-7
Figure 6A. Eject air bubbles and excess water.
A-8

Figure 7A. Inject sample into sample vial.

A-9
C - * * *
C - * ~ *
C - * ~ *
C * ~ * *
C - * * *
C * * ~ *
1 4
1 b
2 ()
2 () ()
2 1 ()
1 () ()
2 b
Appendix B
FORTRAN Program
W L S I M [] . FT N
A PROGR A M T J S IMULATE THE BU I L DUP OF RAD ſhM A M D I TS
D. A U GHT E. R S J N A C L Q S F. D S T R UC TU RE . T H E R (; N G F - K Ú I 'I' A
M. E. 'I' H Q U IS US F, L, 1 M S (jL VI N G A S E H J H S () F I) I FF F. RE NT I AI.
H. QUAT I U M S . ( H. A. T E M A N F (, NS )
D IMP N S I (JN A (4), Xſ, ſ) (4), Y. L (4 ) , D E L i ( 4 ), D F I, 2 (4) , D F L 3 ( 4 ) , () El, 4 (4)
DU (, E L E PR FC I S 1 (1 N T , H -
I, () G T C A L + 1 + N A ſº F. ( 3 () )
I, () (, I C A L + 1 (S N A M H. (3 () )
1) A 'I A X L () / 1 - 25 9 E - 4, .. 227, ... O 259 , , () 35 2 /
F (T, A R N ) = P → { X L1 + X [, 2 + XI, L (1 ) ) + A R in
G ( T , H , C, N ) = XL, I) ( N - 1 ) + H - Y L. ( N ) # C
W R1 TF ( 5 , 15 )
F (7 E M AT ( ' If P U'I b' J L E 2 $ )
RE, AD (5, 2 (), E R K = 1 000 ) LT H , F N A / E
F. (j K M AT ( Q , 30 A 1 ) -
F'N A M. F. ( L TH+ 1) = ()
() { } N ( U M J T = 3, ſº AM E = F M A M E , RF. A D () is L. Y., TYPE = " [] I, D ' )
w H | T E (5 , 2 () () )
F () F. M. AT ( ' [...] [j'T P J H F I L. E . " S )
FF A D ( 5 , 2 1 (), H. RR = 1 () () () ) I, T H , GN AME
F (J K M AT ( (), 30 A 1 )
G M A V E ( L T H + 1 ) = 0
( PF, N ( U N I T = 1 , N A M E = GM AM E. , 'F YPF = ' N E w ' )
H S U M = () - 0
T = {} . ()
A S () M = 0 . ()
J J = 1
H = 'l J M H 1 M T. F. K V AI, B F T W H F M C A LC U L A 'I j () N.S ( N [] R M A L. I. Y. 1 . () M I N ) : T 1. A S T =
‘ſ ()'ſ A L T [M F. ( Nº I N ) : X 1, 1 = L E A K A G H H A 'ſ F. ( 1 / M I tº ) ; H = StJ U R C F TER M (PC I / L. M. 1 W.)
; h ( t ) = } N I T I A L R N - 22 2 A ( "f I W 1 TY ( P C I / I, ) ; W L = I M IT I Aſ w tº FK I N (; L E W F, L, ;
A ( / ) = } N J P J A \, R A A B C T J W IT Y (PC I / I, ) ; A ( 3 ): I ſº I TI Ai, P A R A CT 1 W T TY (PC 1 / 1. )
; A (4) = I NIT I Al, R A C ACT J W J 1 Y (PC 1 / L ); M = 0; M M = 1 IF K F. W P IS INF S 1 F + 1).
L. I. - 1 I F [] / L. Y iſ N E, P J S I) F, S J R F D ( I - E - C {} \, S T A N T P ) .
RF A D ( 3, 25 ) H., T LAST , XI, 1, P., A ( 1 ), w i,
H H A 1) ( 3, 25 ) A (2 ), A ( 3 ) , A (4)
R F. Aſ) ( 3, 1 () () ) M , M M , L. L.
} {} R M A ; ( 3 T S )
F (; P M AT ( to F 1 () , () }
ł) (; 27 (M = 1 , 4
A (fi) = ( {\ { N ) / X Li) ( & ) ) + 2 - 22
P = (P / X L () ( 1 ) ) + 2 - 22
11 = 1 in 'I H, K M Eſ) I ATF, T J M H. ( M I N - 1 M I N ) ; XL 2 = WF, NT I I. A 'ſ 1 ſ M K AT H ( 1 / M I tº ) ;
X LP A : P J A I H [] iſ I F A A ( 1 / M J N ) : X LP }} = P L A 'ſ E. G iſ T K A # ( 1 / N J N ) : X I, PC =
PLA'ſ H. f.) tº T R A C ( 1 / M T N )
B-l
30
35
36
45
30 ()
46
47
55
56
3 1.0
5 ()
1 1 0
RE AI) ( 3, 25) T.T., XL 2, XLP A , XI, PB, XL, PC
READ NEW P (PCI/L MIN)
IF (I, I, , F () , 1 ) G(J T 0 35
I F (M.M. G.T.. 1) READ ( 3, 25 ) P
IF (MM - GT - 1 J P = (P /XL.D (1) ) # 2, 22
M M = M M + 1
CONTINUE
M = 1
A R N = A (1 )
DF L 1 (1 ) = H + F ( T , A R N )
I) F. L. 1 C = [] EL 1 ( 1 )
DE L 2 ( 1) = H + F (T + H/2 . , A R N + DEL 1 C / 2. )
ſ) F L 2C = DE I, 2 (1 )
I) E. I. 3 (1 ) = H + F (T + H/2 . , A R N +[] EL 2C / 2 . )
DF. I. 3 C = DF. L3 ( 1 )
D.E.L. 4 (1) = H + F (T + H, A R N + DEL, 3C)
M = N + 1 r
I F (N - E (). 5) GQ 'I' () 45
Y1. ( 2) = XL 1 + XL 2 + XL D (2) + XL PA
Y I, ( 3 ) = XL 1 + XL 2+ X), D ( 3 ) + XL PH
Y L. (4) = XL 1 + XL 2 + X liſh (4) + XL PC
B = A ( N - 1)
C = A ( N )
DEL 1 (M) = H + G (T, H, C, N )
D F. L. 1 H = L E L 1 ( N )
D E L 2 ( N ) = H + G (T + H/2 . , B, C +I) EI, 1 R / 2 . , N )
DE 1, 2 R = I) E L 2 (M )
DEL 3 (N) = H + G (T + H/2 . , 8, C+D FI, 2 R/2 . , N )
I) FL, 3 R = H) EL 3 ( N ) º
DFL, 4 (N) = H + G (T + H, B, C+I) F, L, 3R, N )
G{} T [..] 3 6
I F (M = E (9 - 1 ) Gū’ſ [] ] 1 ()
A (1 ) = A (1) + XLI) ( 1) / 2. 22
I F (J.J. H. (j = 1 ) Gſ) 'ſ [] 4 6
G (3 TC) 56
A ( 2) = A (2 ) + XLI) ( 2) / 2 - 22
la ( 3 ) = A (3) + XL 1) ( 3 ) / 2 - 22
A (4 ) = A (4) + XLI) ( 4 ) / 2 - 22
GO TO 47
WRITE ( 1 , 50 ) T, WI, , A ( 1 )
I F. ( T. GT . T LAST ) w P ITP, ( 1 , 55 ) A (2 ) , A ( 3 ) , A (4)
F'ſ) RM AT ( 1 X, 3 E 12.4 )
A (1 ) = (A [ ] ) /Xli () ( 1 ) ) + 2 - 22
I F (T = GT - T L AS I } { {} ºf Q 31 ()
G{! T [] 1 1 ()
A (2) = (A (2 ) / X {, } ( 2) ) + 2 - 22
A ( 3 ) = (A ( 3 ) / X J., [] ( 3 ) ) + 2 - 22
A (4) = (A (4 ) / XI, D (4) ) + 2 - 22
(, [] I [] / [. - -
F (JR M AT ( 1 X , F 1 (). 3, 3 X , E 1 2.4 , 3 X , E 12.4)
ASU M = ASUM + A (1)
H S (; M. : H S (J M + W. L.
J J = J J # 1 -
I F (J.J. E. Q , 1 1 ) J J = 1
I) (; 6 (). N = 1 , 4
6 () A ( N ) = A (N ) + ( ) H.L. 1 ( N ) + 2. & DEL 2 ( in ) + 2. *L, EL 3 (M ) + UFL, 4 ( N ) ) / 6.
Wil, r ( A ( 2) # 1 3 - 6 8 + A ( 3 ) # 7 - o 8 + A (4) # 7. 68 ) / (1 - 3 F.5 )
T': 'I + ti
IF (T. GT. T LAST ) GūT U 300
I F ('I - GT - " 'ſ J G0I C 3 ()
(, [] T'ſ 35
7 () A V E. z A S U M / ( T L A ST / H + 1 . )
Wil, A W = H S () M / [T L A ST / H + 1 . )
A V E = A V E + XLI) ( 1 ) / 2, 22
w R J T E ( 1 , 99 ) A V E , W L A V
99 FGFM AT ( 1.x, 2E 12.4)
CI, US H., ( U N I T = 3)
C L G SE, ( U M H T = 1 )
W H ITE ( 5 , 8 () )
80 FORMAT ( ' MORE FILFs (Y = YES, M = NU) 's )
RE AH) (5, 85 ) 1 M G RF
85 F'ſ) RM AT ( A 2 )
I F (I Mi UK.E. E. Q. "Y ' ) Gſ]"] (; 14
S'i U P -
1 () () () w R J T E (b. , 1 () () 5 ) - -
1005 F'ſ) RM AT ( ' E H R U R • * R.E. - E N T E R F II, F, N A M F, . " )
GO'ſ [] 1 4
E N ſy
Sample Input
1 - 0 1 4 4 0 , , () 1 6 8 () , () 0.0 0 - 0
0 - 0 (, , () 0 - 0
() 1
41 9 , () 0 - 0 Q = 0 0 - 0 () , ()
4 49 . () 0 - 0 0 . () () , () () - 0
0 - 06
539 . () 0. 0 0 - 0 0 . () 0 - 0
0 - 0 -
599 . () Q = 0 0 - 0 0 . () () , ()
0 e () 33
1199. 0 0.0 0 . () () - 0 (). 0
0 - 0 i.
1259.0 0.0 0 - 0 0 . () () - 0
Q = Q 66
1 440 - 0 (), () () , () (), () 0 - 0
0.0
. B 3 * G P o 1979 – 642-639 / 6321, REGIon No. 4
tº gº
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
United States Eastern Environmental Postage and
Environmental Protection Radiation Facility Fees Paid
Agency P. O. Box 3OO9 Environmental
Office of Radiation Programs Montgomery AL 361 O9 Protection
- Agency
EPA-G35
Official Business ſhird Class
Penalty for Private Use $300



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