Radon Concentrations in Public Facilities in Alaska

Abstract

Radon levels were measured in forty public facilities throughout Alaska. Test buildings consisted mainly of schools, DOT/PF maintenance garages, and office buildings. The project had two general goals: 1) To determine whether areas of potentially high indoor radon levels can be identified based on knowledge of the bedrock geology in the area, and 2) to determine if there is cause for concern regarding radon levels in public facilities in Alaska. Radon levels measured ranged from 0.0 to 5.2 pCi/l with a mean value of 0.6 pCi/l. No conclusive evidence was found correlating radon concentration with the geology of an area. The data suggest no urgency regarding radon levels in public facilities in Alaska, especially where mechanical ventilation and positive building pressure influence the dispersion of concentrations. However, the small size of the sample and the fact that most of the buildings sampled were mechanically ventilated does not rule out the possibility that higher radon levels may yet be found.