Wondering if a garage built in 1976 from lightweight concrete might contain blåbetong. How do you know if it is? I think the concrete is quite blue-gray when you look at it and screw into it.
The basement of an extension to the house is built of concrete hollow blocks. Could it contain blåbetong?
The basement of an extension to the house is built of concrete hollow blocks. Could it contain blåbetong?
Excerpted from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority's website:
After 1975, lightweight concrete is made from finely ground sand, cement, and lime. Such white or light gray lightweight concrete has a very low content of uranium and thus low radioactivity and radon emission.
http://www.ssi.se/radon/Radon_Blabetong.html
After 1975, lightweight concrete is made from finely ground sand, cement, and lime. Such white or light gray lightweight concrete has a very low content of uranium and thus low radioactivity and radon emission.
http://www.ssi.se/radon/Radon_Blabetong.html
Yes, it sounds like it contains so-called blåbetong. Referring to the response from "mycke_nu", it's true that production ceased in the mid-seventies, but there were still large stocks of the "old" blåbetong on the market, and it was used into the eighties. The only sure way to determine the issue is to measure the gamma radiation from the concrete/wall, check if the municipality has instruments for loaning!
As for the basement, concrete hollow blocks are not blåbetong, but it's possible that blå lättbetong was used for internal insulation even in such cases; however, you should have seen it in the bore cores even here. But as with the garage, measurement is the only completely reliable method, and it also provides an answer to the radiation intensity of the concrete—which can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and batch.
But regarding the garage—it feels a bit meaningless if there's blåbetong there, since one doesn't spend an insane amount of time in a garage, and the ventilation tends to be better than in the living quarters...
As for the basement, concrete hollow blocks are not blåbetong, but it's possible that blå lättbetong was used for internal insulation even in such cases; however, you should have seen it in the bore cores even here. But as with the garage, measurement is the only completely reliable method, and it also provides an answer to the radiation intensity of the concrete—which can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and batch.
But regarding the garage—it feels a bit meaningless if there's blåbetong there, since one doesn't spend an insane amount of time in a garage, and the ventilation tends to be better than in the living quarters...
Thanks for the responses.
What I am wondering about is whether there is blåbetong in the foundation, basement walls, and if so, if there are high radon levels in the house. I will do a measurement on that. However, the municipality does not measure or lend out equipment, which I think is poor.
I also have concerns about the garage that I know is made of blåbetong. Even if one doesn't live there, you do spend time around it daily. It's directly adjacent to the entrance. But maybe there's no danger as long as one doesn't live in it?
What I am wondering about is whether there is blåbetong in the foundation, basement walls, and if so, if there are high radon levels in the house. I will do a measurement on that. However, the municipality does not measure or lend out equipment, which I think is poor.
I also have concerns about the garage that I know is made of blåbetong. Even if one doesn't live there, you do spend time around it daily. It's directly adjacent to the entrance. But maybe there's no danger as long as one doesn't live in it?
It is very likely not blåbetong in the actual foundation. Blåbetong is too porous for that. It is probably regular concrete hollow blocks. Which consist of, exactly; concrete with holes. However, there might be blåbetong in load-bearing outer and inner walls. Radon is a gas. It is easy to ventilate out. Therefore, it is absolutely not dangerous to be AROUND the garage. That is, outside. It is also not extremely dangerous to be exposed to radon gas for short periods as discussed in blåbetong contexts. However, if you live for many years in radon gas and also smoke, it may involve some risk.
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