A comparative and systematic study of radon levels in Kosovo

In the second half of the twentieth century, many epidemiological studies of groups of miners in different parts of the world demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the risk of lung cancer and, in the larger studies, a positive trend in lung cancer rates was found with increasing radon exposure. In this study radon (222Rn) activity concentration has been surveyed in different zones of Kosovo in dwellings, workplaces and schools. The radon (222Rn) activity concentration has been measured in winter, spring and summer using different methods. The maximum value of radon activity concentration of 868 Bq m−3 respectively effective dose of 15.46 mSv y−1 are higher than in some other locations investigated before in Kosovo, and also higher than at several places in the neighboring and other countries. The national limit (adopted from ICRP 65) of 200 Bq m−3 for new buildings was exceeded in some houses, workplaces and schools and in some of them also the national limit (adopted from ICRP 65) of 400 Bq m−3 for old buildings was exceeded. The impact of lignite-fired power plants on indoor radon concentration has not been observed. Also, no impact of depleted uranium on radon levels has been observed. The radon (222Rn) activity concentration has been measured with the aim to complement the national radon survey and to compare the results with other countries. With these results the radon situation in Kosovo has been upgraded. They have also contributed to fill in the missing data in the European radon map for these zones.