Radiochemical indoor environment and possible health risks in current building technology

Tremendous work of civil and environmental engineering has been focused on development of sustainable buildings. From economical and ecological viewpoint, this approach is a significant step forward, but the microenvironment created in such living surroundings may present a complex radiochemical setting, which could be a threat to the health of its occupants. This paper gives overview about levels of indoor radon, insight in risks related with radioactivity of fly ash and zircon, current application of nanoparticles and concrete additives in buildings and their possible impact on human health. As construction engineering is current producer of almost 50% of waste encouragement of incorporation of toxic and radioactive agents in buildings could in future demand redefinition of building construction waste as hazardous and special waste disposals. Collaboration between governmental and non-governmental bodies, manufacturers, scientific institutions, and chartered engineers is needed in order to find balance between quality of indoor air, and to enable maintaining of high health standards by application of non-toxic or non-carcinogenic building materials that meet energy efficiency, building structure stability and security requirements. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.