Information on radon occurrence in groundwater systems is important to assess risks from radon exposure. For this study we developed a novel passive method to measure for dissolved radon in groundwater using a coupled diffusive membrane encasing an alpha track (AT) detector. The membrane is gas permeable but water impermeable, which allows for the deployment of AT detectors in aqueous environments. The alpha track (AT) detectors measure the alpha decay of radon as it etches a film seated in the AT. Empirical relations have been developed to convert the etches or tracks from the film of the detectors to a radon concentration. Encasing the AT detectors in a membrane (called MAT detectors) prevents water from deteriorating the film and hindering the etching process. The datasets herein will be used to evaluate the efficacy of the MAT detectors to measure radon dissolved in groundwater . The datasets include (step 1) results from experiments to determine the diffusion rates of radon across various membrane types in a controlled, accredited, radon air chamber, and (step 2) field environmental samples of radon from wells to measure radon in the water column of the well and within the air above the water column of the well. Ambient radon air concentrations are also included as a background reference of radon in the environment. For step 1, the radon measurement results were used to quantify the diffusive properties of membranes subjected to a controlled radon air concentration within the radon air chamber. For step 2, the selected membrane and MAT detectors were deployed in the water column of wells and in the air column of wells located at several test sites throughout the country. Further for step 2, radon concentrations from the aqueous deployment of the MAT detectors were compared to concentrations from conventional radon groundwater samples measured with standard liquid scintillation analysis as a confirmatory measure.

The Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) radon field study is aimed to investigate mitigation technique efficacy in 52 participant homes in Ottawa-Gatineau area.

This dataset documents results from 1,041 groundwater samples collected during 1986‒2015 from 16 geologic units in Pennsylvania associated with 25 or more groundwater samples with activities or concentrations of radon-222. Radon-222 is hereafter referred to as “radon.” These 16 geologic units were evaluated in an effort to identify variations in radon concentrations and to classify potential radon exposure from groundwater and indoor air. This dataset was developed for the Pennsylvania Environmental Public Health Tracking (PAEPHT) Program to describe the spatial distribution of radon concentrations in groundwater in Pennsylvania and to illustrate data gaps that exist throughout the State. The PAEPHT Program is part of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve public health by providing science-based information about the presence of and trends in environmentally related diseases. A focus area for the PAEPHT Program is that of understanding the occurrence of radon concentrations in groundwater and indoor air across the State. This dataset representing radon concentrations in groundwater and describing potential radon exposure from groundwater and indoor air according to geologic units may be used for resource decision-making and risk assessment. This dataset is available from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7PR7T74. The companion publication describing the study is at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20175018 [https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175018] and is intended to be available through the online databases of the CDC and the PAEPHT programs [http://doh.pa.gov/epht].

This dataset documents results from 1,041 groundwater samples collected during 1986‒2015 from 16 geologic units in Pennsylvania associated with 25 or more groundwater samples with activities or concentrations of radon-222. Radon-222 is hereafter referred to as “radon.” These 16 geologic units were evaluated in an effort to identify variations in radon concentrations and to classify potential radon exposure from groundwater and indoor air. This dataset was developed for the Pennsylvania Environmental Public Health Tracking (PAEPHT) Program to describe the spatial distribution of radon concentrations in groundwater in Pennsylvania and to illustrate data gaps that exist throughout the State. The PAEPHT Program is part of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve public health by providing science-based information about the presence of and trends in environmentally related diseases. A focus area for the PAEPHT Program is that of understanding the occurrence of radon concentrations in groundwater and indoor air across the State. This dataset representing radon concentrations in groundwater and describing potential radon exposure from groundwater and indoor air according to geologic units may be used for resource decision-making and risk assessment. This dataset is available from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7PR7T74. The companion publication describing the study is at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20175018 [https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175018] and is intended to be available through the online databases of the CDC and the PAEPHT programs [http://doh.pa.gov/epht].

Two Saphymo AlphaE radon (Rn) detectors, with a measurement range of 0.54 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L) to 270 nanoCuries per liter of air (nCi/L), were deployed from October 2015 thru May 2016 in publicly accessible areas adjacent to the Pinenut uranium mine located in northern Arizona. One monitor was installed in close proximity to the mine vent and a second monitor was installed in close proximity to the ore pile. In late December 2015, a third AlphaE Rn detector was deployed adjacent to the ore-pile monitor. Measurement frequency was 3 times per hour and a time-lapse camera was installed in close proximity to the ore pile to record relative size and activity of the ore pile during mining and early reclamation. Because of size limitations, the photos from the time-lapse camera are not included in the data release. Instead, information from each photograph was summarized in a separate data file included in the data release. A meteorological station was installed at the site and recorded wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation during the study period. Three Saphymo AlphaE Rn detectors were evaluated against a laboratory grade RAD7 spectral alpha counter in a controlled environment to verify field monitoring results. The RAD7 was factory calibrated to a NIST standard prior to testing. A NIST traceable Rn-222 activity sample of granite was used as the Rn source for all testing.

Two Saphymo AlphaE radon (Rn) detectors, with a measurement range of 0.54 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L) to 270 nanoCuries per liter of air (nCi/L), were deployed from October 2015 thru May 2016 in publicly accessible areas adjacent to the Pinenut uranium mine located in northern Arizona. One monitor was installed in close proximity to the mine vent and a second monitor was installed in close proximity to the ore pile. In late December 2015, a third AlphaE Rn detector was deployed adjacent to the ore-pile monitor. Measurement frequency was 3 times per hour and a time-lapse camera was installed in close proximity to the ore pile to record relative size and activity of the ore pile during mining and early reclamation. Because of size limitations, the photos from the time-lapse camera are not included in the data release. Instead, information from each photograph was summarized in a separate data file included in the data release. A meteorological station was installed at the site and recorded wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation during the study period. Three Saphymo AlphaE Rn detectors were evaluated against a laboratory grade RAD7 spectral alpha counter in a controlled environment to verify field monitoring results. The RAD7 was factory calibrated to a NIST standard prior to testing. A NIST traceable Rn-222 activity sample of granite was used as the Rn source for all testing.