Indoor Radon concentration assessment in a set of single family houses: case study held in Barcelos, North of Portugal

Abstract The aim of this paper is to analyze the radon concentration in 3 granitic single-family houses, located in the countryside region, Barcelos, North of Portugal, one of the highest indoor radon concentrations regions, due to the granitic nature of the soil. In situ measurements were taken using digital radon monitors. Simultaneously, thermo-hygrometric measurements were undertaken to allow a more detailed assessment of the relation between the measured variables. Measurements were performed during the summer and autumn season of 2016. The results attained have shown that the human occupancy, mostly through passive ventilation processes, works as a radon concentration mitigation factor.