Indoor radon measurements in the dwellings of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The measurement of indoor radon concentrations were performed in the dwellings of the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, India by using LR-115 type II Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors in the bare mode. The annual average indoor radon concentrations in the dwellings are found to vary from 114 to 400 Bq m(-3) with an average of 194 Bq m(-3). In ∼22 % of the dwellings the indoor radon activity concentration values lies in the range of action level (200-300 Bq m(-3)) and in ∼11 % of the dwellings above the upper limit of action level recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The annual effective dose (AED) varies from 2.88 to 10.08 mSv with an average of 4.88 mSv. In most of the villages, the AED lies in the range of action level (3-10 mSv) recommended by the ICRP. The seasonal variation in indoor radon reveals the maximum values in winter and minimum in summer. The winter/summer ratio of indoor radon ranges from 1.15 to 1.62 with an average of 1.31. Analysis of ventilation conditions reveal that the indoor radon concentration values are more in poorly ventilated dwellings compared with the well-ventilated ones.

Radon Exposure Assessment and Relative Effective Dose Estimation to Inhabitants of Puglia Region, South Italy

“…222 Ra and its progeny contribute more than half of human exposure from natural sources [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. It is generated in rocks and soil by alpha decay of 226 Ra and for this reason it is present on the entire Earth’s crust, although in varying quantities depending on the geology.…”

An Investigation of Factors Influencing Indoor Radon Concentrations in Dwellings of Northern Rajasthan, India

“…Henshaw et al (1990) claimed that indoor radon exposure is associated with the risk of leukaemia and certain other cancers, such as melanoma and cancers of the kidney and prostate (Henshaw et al 1990). In India, several studies were conducted to measure radon concentration in soil and air Rani et al 2013;Singh et al 2005;Kansal et al 2012;Jayanthi et al 2011;Prasad et al 2008). The concentration of indoor radon and its decay products shows large temporal and local fluctuations in the indoor atmosphere due to the variation in topography, house construction type, soil characteristics and weather (Mehra et al 2006).…”

A study of seasonal variations of radon levels in different types of dwellings in Sri Ganganagar district, Rajasthan

“…The concentration of indoor radon and its decay products shows large temporal and local fluctuations in the indoor atmosphere due to the variation in topography, house construction type, soil characteristics and weather (Duggal, Rani, & Mehra, 2013;Mehra, Singh, & Singh, 2006). Relatively higher indoor radon levels are observed in winter season (Rani, Singh, & Duggal, 2013). The seasonal variation of the indoor radon levels depends on several parameters such as type of house, radon source, living habits of the inhabitants, ventilation system of the house, heating of the house and outside climate (Durrani & Ilic 1997).…”