Geological and Geostatistical Modeling of Indoor Radon Concentration in Buildings of İzmir Province (Western Turkey)

Abstract

Radon is a carcinogenic gas that cannot be detected by the five senses and poses a significant health threat, particularly in the form of lung cancer, to individuals living in all enclosed buildings worldwide. The aims of this study are to (1) measure Indoor Radon Concentrations (IRCs) in 117 buildings in İzmir, Turkey, (2) investigate and model the relationship between the IRCs and Geological Units (GUs) and Active Faults (AFs), and (3) compare the IRC values with the European Indoor Radon Reference Level (EIRRL) (200 Bq/m³) to identify areas that pose a potential health risk for lung cancer due to elevated Indoor Radon Levels (IRLs). The IRCs were measured using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) in 117 buildings. These measurements were conducted between February 2013 and March 2013. The IRCs were visualized on a map along with the GUs and AFs, and a geological cross-section was generated from the data represented on this map. The IRCs in 117 buildings were geostatistically modeled in conjunction with AFs. Generally, the highest IRCs were found in locations proximal to AFs, with an increase in IRLs observed parallel to the AFs's directions. The highest IRC (487 Bq/m³) was recorded in a building located on alluvium derived primarily from volcanic rocks, whereas the lowest concentration (28 Bq/m³) was observed in a building situated on alluvium predominantly derived from sedimentary rocks. The statistical parameters (minimum: 28 Bq/m³, maximum: 487 Bq/m³, arithmetic mean: 210 Bq/m³) of the IRCs were established. In İzmir, IRCs in 59 out of 117 buildings, representing approximately 50% of the sampled structures, were found to exceed the recommended EIRRL of 200 Bq/m³. It is imperative that IRCs in all enclosed buildings be regularly and periodically monitored by relevant authorities, and mitigation measures should be implemented in locations where IRLs exceed the threshold value of 200 Bq/m³. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd