Poster Number 334
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Disseminating Hands-on Geological Knowledge and Creating a Greater Awareness for the Environment: Emphasis on the Involvement of Undergraduates and K–12 Students (Posters)
Abstract:
Our past studies have shown that residences that exhibit high indoor radon tend to be concentrated in relatively small areas, but within these areas a high percentage of homes can be affected. For example, the densely populated San Fernando Valley, located northwest of Los Angeles, may support up to 35% of homes exceeding the action level. Hence, for these affected neighborhoods, specific knowledge of the extent of high radon soils is important for encouraging radon testing and prevention efforts.
Localized gamma ray spectrometry measurements that quantify surface uranium concentrations can rapidly delineate high radon potential neighborhoods, since soil uranium is the source of radon gas. Although several studies have documented elevated indoor radon levels on the Rincon Shale, only very sparse aerial radiometric data exists regarding the actual uranium content of this unit, and these data are often convoluted by flight line averaging over adjacent formations. In the present study, results from surface gamma ray spectrometry measurements are reported from well-defined areas of the Rincon Shale, in order to clearly characterize the uranium content of this unit, and to directly compare mapped boundaries with measured uranium concentrations for radon potential mapping.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Disseminating Hands-on Geological Knowledge and Creating a Greater Awareness for the Environment: Emphasis on the Involvement of Undergraduates and K–12 Students (Posters)