Radon concentrations in a spa in Serbia

Abstract

The paper presents the results of indoor radon concentration survey in 201 homes and offices in Niska Banja (the Spa of Nis), a well-known health resort and a spa in the South-East of Serbia. Radon indoor concentrations were determined by active charcoal method, according to standard EPA procedure. The indoor radon concentrations were in the range of up to 200 Bq/m(3) (47%), from 200-600 Bq/m(3) (26%) and over 600 Bq/m(3) (27%). Three areas of extremely high average radon concentrations were found (1340-4340 Bq/m(3)), with a maximum above 13,000 Bq/m(3). The content of natural radionuclides (Ra-226, Ph-214, Bi-214, U-235, Ac-228, Ph-212, Bi-212, (TI)-T-208, K-40) and Cs-117, as well as the content of total uranium, thorium and potassium in mud used in peloidotherapy in the Health Institute Niska Banja was determined, too. The activities of the radionuclides were determined on an HPGe detector, by standard gamma spectroscopy. The results indicated considerably high amounts of total uranium and thorium (0.021 g/kg mud and 0.003 g/kg mud, respectively), due to the karsts origin of the soil. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.