Sjenica, a newly identified radon priority area in Serbia, and radon data correlated with geological parameters using the multiple linear regression model

Abstract

The paper deals with the analysis of the annual indoor radon concentrations variations due to different geological parameters of Sjenica community, Western Serbia. The measured Rn-222 concentrations were ranging from 10 to 1130 Bq/m(3). In 14% of the buildings, the radon action level of 300 Bq/m(3) is exceeded, indicating that Sjenica community could be characterized as a radon priority area. Each of 35 measuring location was georeferenced and corresponding lithostratigraphic units and geological period was assigned. Data were analyzed using the multiple linear regression (MLR) method and two predictive models were developed. The MLR model generated by the geological periods explained 17% of the radon variability while, the better one, was the lithostratigraphic MLR model, which explained 52% of the radon variability. Analysis has shown that lithostratigraphic units are important parameters in the prediction of radon levels.