ICDA-5

Experimental Study of Conventional Building Materials as Radon Barriers for indoor spaces: Influence of Orientation and Surface Finish

Jun 8, 2026, 6:51 PM

2m

CTU in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (Prague, Czechia)

Poster Environmental dosimetry and monitoring Poster session

Speakers

Beatriz Garcia Fayos (Universitat Politècnica de València) GUMERSINDO JESUS VERDU MARTIN (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia)

Description

Introduction
Prolonged exposure to indoor radon gas represents a public health problem, driving research on mitigation strategies and the modification of building materials to achieve low gas permeability towards indoor spaces. This study evaluates the radon shielding effectiveness of different common building materials used as interior wall claddings, both in their raw form and after being coated with a commercial paint.

Methods
Experiments were conducted in a cubic stainless-steel chamber that simulates an indoor space exposed to radon gas, consisting of a source chamber in which a radon source with a constant production rate is placed and a receiving chamber. The test sample is placed between the two chambers. For each material, two different orientations were tested to analyse the geometric and structural influence of the building material on radon transport. Radon concentrations were continuously measured on both sides of the sample using RAD7 continuous monitors, with the aim of determining the percentage reduction in radon concentration through the material. During the measurements, ambient atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity conditions were monitored.

Results
The influence of both the orientation of the building material in the experimental setup and its surface finish on the effectiveness of radon concentration reduction is analysed. The results show differentiated behaviours depending on the orientation tested. In all cases, the application of anti-radon paint significantly reduces the radon transport through the material. These differences highlight the capacity of surface treatment to enhance the barrier effect of conventional building materials.

Conclusions
The results provide a simple and cost-effective technical solution that, through surface modification of existing construction materials, significantly contributes to mitigating radon exposure in indoor spaces.

KEYWORDS: Radon; Radon barrier; Building material; Paint

Acknowledgements
This work has been funded by grant PID2021-125345OA-I00, financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “FEDER, A way to make Europe”.