Indoor air radon concentration in ger district households of 15th khoroo, Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar city
- VernacularTitle:Улаанбаатар хотын Чингэлтэй дүүргийн 15 дугаар хорооны гэр хорооллын айл өрхүүдийн дотоод орчны агаарын радоны агууламж
- Author:
Maralmaa Ö
1
;
Nyamsuren L
2
Author Information
1. Ach Medical University
2. National Center for Public Health
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
household;
air temperature;
becquerel;
ger district;
indoor air;
radon concentration;
radon;
relative humidity
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2026;216(2):33-40
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium found in
rocks and soil. It is released into the air and can accumulate in enclosed spaces, entering the
human body through the respiratory system [1]. Most households in ger districts live in small
dwellings with earthen foundations, poor ventilation, and tightly sealed structures designed
to retain heat, creating conditions for elevated indoor radon levels [2]. This gas is colorless,
odorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect, and it tends to accumulate indoors,
especially in poorly ventilated spaces. High indoor radon levels can damage lung tissue
and alter DNA structure, thereby increasing the risk of cancer development [3]. According
to the World Health Organization, radon is responsible for approximately 3–14% of lung
cancer cases worldwide and is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer after
smoking [4]. The permissible indoor radon concentration has been established at 200 Bq/m³
for existing buildings and 100 Bq/m³ for newly constructed buildings [5].
The World Health Organization has warned that the combined effects of outdoor and
household air pollution contribute to approximately 6.7 million premature deaths annually [6].
In Mongolia, studies in this field remain limited, which served as the basis for conducting the
present research.
Objective:To assess indoor radon concentration and selected microclimate indicators in households of
Khoroo 15, Chingeltei District, and compare them with hygienic standards.
Materials and Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. From a total of 2,125 households in the
ger district of Khoroo 15, Chingeltei District, a sample size of 71 households was determined
using the OpenEpi statistical program. Indoor radon concentration was measured in each
household for 48 hours using a “Wave Radon” electronic device. Data were entered into
Word and MS Excel, then analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics (mean,
frequency, minimum, maximum, standard deviation) were calculated, and differences
between variables were assessed using the chi-square test.
Results:The average indoor radon concentration was 173.2 Bq/m³, with a maximum of 596 Bq/m³
and a minimum of 26 Bq/m³. A total of 31% (22 households) exceeded the hygienic standard (>200 Bq/m³). Radon concentration was higher in houses (246.05 Bq/m³; min=48, max=596)
compared to gers (94 Bq/m³; min=26, max=325). Indoor radon concentration showed a
moderate inverse correlation with outdoor temperature (p=0.003, r=-0.346) and a moderate
positive correlation with indoor humidity (p=0.001, r=0.513).
The average age of houses was 23 years (range: 1–48 years), and radon concentration was
not associated with building age (r=0.035, p=0.838). When categorized by building material,
the highest mean radon concentration was found in brick houses (307 Bq/m³), followed by
concrete houses (271.4 Bq/m³) and wooden houses (206.6 Bq/m³), while the lowest was in
traditional gers (93.8 Bq/m³). However, these differences were not statistically significant
(p=0.208).
Conclusion:
1. The study on radon concentration in household indoor air revealed that, among households
living in houses and apartments, some cases exceeded the hygienic standard limits. The
research results indicate that the indoor radon concentration in ger district households is
associated with ambient temperature and indoor humidity levels.
2. It was also determined that radon concentration varies depending on factors such as
housing structure, building materials, and stove type. Among the types of dwellings
included in the study, brick and concrete buildings showed relatively higher radon
concentrations, whereas traditional Mongolian gers had the lowest levels
- Full text:202610182056521805MMS-2026-216(2)-33-40.pdf
