Assessment of Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon Level in Dwellings of Some Districts of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Rafique, Muhammad; Rahman, Saeed Ur; Mahmood, Tahir; Rahman, Said; Matiullah,

doi:10.1177/1420326x11400888

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Measured values of radon exhalation rate from building materials' samples (soil, sand, aggregates and bricks) varied from 193 AE 11 to 308 AE 14 mBq m À2 h À1 , 366 AE 8 to 649 AE 8 mBq m À2 h À1 , 168 AE 17 to 322 AE 11mBq m À2 h À1 , 184 AE 14 to 231 AE 14 mBq m À2 h À1 , respectively. These findings are comparable to the radon exhalation rate values reported by Rehman et al37,38 but noticeably smaller as compared to UNSCEAR (2000) reported values.Radon exhalation rate from decorative stones, available in Azad Kashmir, were studied by Rafique et al37 Radon exhalation rate from the studied granites, marble and dolerite samples varied from 87 AE 26 to 353 AE 36 mBq m À2 h À1 , 79AE 25 to 650 AE 42 mBq m À2 h À1 and 90 AE 26 to 324 AE 36 mBq m À2 h À1 , respectively.Rafique et al38 investigated seasonal variations of indoor radon concentrations in four districts of Azad Kashmir, viz., Muzaffarabad, Hattian, Neelum and Poonch. Their findings show elevated values of radon in winter, while lower values were observed in summer season.…”

supporting

confidence: 87%

A review of radon measurement studies with nuclear track detectors (NTDs) in Azad Kashmir

Khan

Rafique

Rahman³

et al. 2016

Indoor and Built Environment

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Inhalation of radon and its progeny are the most important component of public exposure to natural radiations. Many epidemiological studies have established the fact that radon and radon progeny are associated with increased incidence of lung cancer. Beside health concerns, radon is an important consideration in other fields, e.g. hydrological research, detection of geological fault lines, prediction of earthquake, uranium deposits and oil exploration. The importance of the subject compelled many scientists to develop methods for measurement and mitigation of radon. During last decade many studies for measurement of radon and thoron have been conducted in Azad Kashmir. In most studies, the techniques used involve the usage of solid state nuclear track detectors. Building materials, including granite, marbles, gravel aggregates, bricks, sand and soil have been characterized through radon exhalation rate studies. Several research articles have been published, reporting indoor radon measurements in dwellings and at workplaces. Though these studies have provided preliminary information about radon levels in the area, however, data obtained are still unable to convey clear information to readers. This review paper attempts to organize the radon data to provide a clearer understanding and roadmap for radon measurements in Azad Kashmir.

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confidence: 87%

A review of radon measurement studies with nuclear track detectors (NTDs) in Azad Kashmir

Khan

Rafique

Rahman³

et al. 2016

Indoor and Built Environment

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“…Measuring indoor radon and thoron concentrations and radon mapping was considered for years and several papers were published on the topic around the world [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], including in many Iranian cities [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] to increase public awareness of environmental radioactivity and to predict radon-prone areas, which would help authorities with regard to the development of an appropriate strategy to reduce public exposure to radon and thoron. This reduced exposure would increase the quality of life and improve public long-term health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiological Assessment of Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentrations and Indoor Radon Map of Dwellings in Mashhad, Iran

Adelikhah

Shahrokhi

Imani

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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A comprehensive study was carried out to measure indoor radon/thoron concentrations in 78 dwellings and soil-gas radon in the city of Mashhad, Iran during two seasons, using two common radon monitoring devices (NRPB and RADUET). In the winter, indoor radon concentrations measured between 75 ± 11 to 376 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean: 150 ± 19 Bq m−3), whereas indoor thoron concentrations ranged from below the Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) to 166 ± 10 Bq·m−3 (mean: 66 ± 8 Bq m−3), while radon and thoron concentrations in summer fell between 50 ± 11 and 305 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean 115 ± 18 Bq m−3) and from below the LLD to 122 ± 10 Bq m−3 (mean 48 ± 6 Bq·m−3), respectively. The annual average effective dose was estimated to be 3.7 ± 0.5 mSv yr−1. The soil-gas radon concentrations fell within the range from 1.07 ± 0.28 to 8.02 ± 0.65 kBq·m−3 (mean 3.07 ± 1.09 kBq·m−3). Finally, indoor radon maps were generated by ArcGIS software over a grid of 1 × 1 km2 using three different interpolation techniques. In grid cells where no data was observed, the arithmetic mean was used to predict a mean indoor radon concentration. Accordingly, inverse distance weighting (IDW) was proven to be more suitable for predicting mean indoor radon concentrations due to the lower mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Meanwhile, the radiation health risk due to the residential exposure to radon and indoor gamma radiation exposure was also assessed.

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“…Measurements of indoor radon concentrations and the seasonal effects on radon concentrations along with determination of SCFs in 200 dwellings in four districts (i.e. Muzaffarabad, Hattian, Neelum and Poonch) of Azad Kashmir were carried out by Rafique et al 58 For spring, summer, autumn and winter, the estimated SCFs were 1.02 AE 0.91, 0.86 AE 0.77, 0.98 AE 0.92 and 1.14 AE 1.04, respectively. According to their results, elevated and lower values of radon levels were found in winter and summer season, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2011, Rafique et al 56 compared pre-and post-2005 earthquake indoor radon concentrations by using CR-39 detectors with box-type dosimeters 56 while radon exhalation rate from building material used in District Mirpur was also measured by Rafique et al 57 Further, the seasonal variations of indoor radon concentrations for four districts of Azad Kashmir (i.e. Muzaffarabad, Hattian, Neelum and Poonch) were investigated by Rafique et al, 58 and SCFs for spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons were calculated. 58 Further studies in 2011-2012 were conducted to measure indoor radon concentration for District Bhimber and Sudhanoti by using CN-85 and CR-39 box-type dosimeters 59,60 and 222 Rn and 220 Rn concentrations were measured at different selected workplaces of Muzaffarabad by using CR-39.…”

Section: Chronological History and Techniques Used For Radon Measuremmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of radon concentration levels in Pakistan: An overview

Matiullah

Muhammad

2016

Indoor and Built Environment

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Radon is known to be a major source of public radiation exposure which could lead to increased incidence of lung cancer. Besides its health hazards, it also has potential geological, industrial and nuclear applications. In this context, radon measurements studies have been extensively conducted and reported all over the world. Keeping in view the importance of radon measurement levels, different research groups in Pakistan have also carried out and reported numerous studies since last several decades. However, these studies were scattered which were compiled and reported in 2008. Since then, considerable data have been reported for different cities/areas of Pakistan. The main objectives of the present article are to overview and compile these studies that will serve as baseline data for the radon levels in Pakistan.

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Assessment of Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon Level in Dwellings of Some Districts of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

A review of radon measurement studies with nuclear track detectors (NTDs) in Azad Kashmir

A review of radon measurement studies with nuclear track detectors (NTDs) in Azad Kashmir

Radiological Assessment of Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentrations and Indoor Radon Map of Dwellings in Mashhad, Iran

Measurement of radon concentration levels in Pakistan: An overview

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