Excessive radon-based radiation in indoor air caused by soil building materials in traditional homes on Đồng Văn karst plateau, northern Vietnam.

Radon-based radiation from natural soil building materials is an important factor likely influencing residents' health as a contributing source of natural radiation. This survey aims to quantify the nuclide-specific α-radiation of isotopes Rn and Rn in common types of houses in a region of northern Vietnam, Đồng Văn karst plateau, to preliminarily (i) evaluate the total annual effective dose rates and (ii) assess the relative risk of cancer induction from indoor α-radiation for inhabitants. The average Rn concentrations in all house types were lower than 100 Bq m, but Rn abundances were far higher than Rn, even up to >1000 Bq m in air close to a wall of unfired-soil bricks.

Radiolysis via radioactivity is not responsible for rapid methane oxidation in subterranean air.

Atmospheric methane is rapidly lost when it enters humid subterranean critical and vadose zones (e.g., air in soils and caves).

Long-distance detection of alpha-radioactivity: Method and device.

Negatively charged ions from the alpha particle tracks are detected by the discharge wire counter opened to the air. Ion clusters are transferred from the particle tracks to the detector volume by an air flux. It allows a remote detection of very low concentrations of alpha particles.