Evaluation of Radon Concentration in the Urban Area Foundation of Tirana, Albania

Abstract

In this paper, we shortly are treating the results of the radon concentration in soil gas, which are obtained by a detailed study that was carried out during 2000-2005 years in the urban area of Tirana, Capital City of Albania. The field measurements were done by using Luk-4 equipment (Lucas method) and based on technique (Neznal et al. 1992, Neznal et al. 1994a, Neznal et al. 1994b, Neznal et al. 1996, Neznal et al. 2002b). From the analysis of the data taken by this research, was concluded that the level of the radon concentration in soil gas of Tirana urban area depends on the soil type. So, the highest level of radon gas (130.0 kBqm^‐3) was observed in the inorganic clays and very fine sands with beige-red color (soils type 1), which is extended on the second terrace of Tirana River. This paper gives conclusions of soil gas radon concentration, where its value range from 0.9-1.54 kBqm^‐3 up to 92.03-130.0 kBqm^‐3. The results indicate that more than 50% of Tirana urban area is made of soils, which are characterized by high soil gas radon concentration, which constitutes a real risk for the Tirana’s residents.