Environmental monitoring of radon, thoron and their progeny in some dwellings of northern Haryana (India).

The problem of randon is an important global problem of radiation hygiene concerning the world population. Radon and its progeny are the major contributors in the radiation dose received by general population of the world. Keeping this in mind, the environmental monitoring of radon, thoron and their progeny in some dwellings of northern part of Haryana state of India has been carried out. The radon thoron twin dosimeter cups were used for the study. Three pieces of LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detectors were fixed in the dosimeters and were suspended in the dwellings for three months during a season. The first detector indicated radon, thoron and progeny concentration, the second showed radon and thoron concentration, while the third detected only the radon concentration. The aim of study was to carry out possible health risk assessment in the dwellings under consideration. During summer season, the radon concentration in northern region of Haryana varied from 66-97 Bq m(-3), while the thoron concentration in the same dwellings varied from 27-65 Bq m(-3). During winter season, radon concentration in northern region of Haryana varied from 73-104 Bq m(-3) with an average of 88 + 7 Bq m(-3), while the thoron concentration in the same dwellings varied from 35-69 Bq m(-3) with an average of 55 +/- 8 Bq m(-3). The radon-thoron progeny levels and annual doses received by the inhabitants in the dwellings under study have also been calculated.

Study of seasonal variations for radon pollution in the environment of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts of Punjab using LR-115 plastic track detectors.

Indoor Radon measures have been carried out in the dwellings of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts of punjab using LR-115 plastic track detectors. Indoor Radon values ranged from 95 to 226 bq m(-3) and 75 to 233 bq m(-3) for winter season and 61 to 129 bq m(-3) and 79 to 138 bq m(-3) for summer season for Muktsar and Ferozepur districts respectively. These values are within the safe limits recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

Uranium, radium and radon exhalation studies in geological samples belonging to some areas of punjab, using track etching technique.

With a view to prospect the uranium, radium and radon concentration and related health risk assessments in areas of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts in Punjab, the fission track registration technique has been used for the analysis of water and soil samples. Uranium content in water ranged from 5.47 to 10.19 microg/l(-1) and 6.28 to 11.74 microg/l(-1) for Muktsar and Ferozepur respectively. Uranium content in soil samples of Muktsar and Ferozepur ranged from 1.14 to 1.90 mg/kg(-1) and 1.26 to 2.44 mg/kg(-1) respectively. Radium concentration in these soil samples has been found to vary from 3.97 to 15.94 bq/kg(-1) and 7.24 to 24.14 bq/kg(-1) for Muktsar and Ferozepur respectively. The radon exhalation values were calculated in terms of area (E(A)) and mass (E(M)). The values of E(M) ranged from 4.9 to 20.6 (mbqkg(-1) hr(-1)) for Muktsar and 9.4 to 31.3 (mbqkg(-1)hr(-1)) for Ferozepur and values of E(A) ranged from 173 to 728 (mbqm(-2)hr(-1)) for Muktsar and 330 to 1102 (mbqm(-2)hr(-1)) for Ferozepur district. These values in general are low and not significant from health hazard point of view. The values of uranium concentration in water samples of these areas are lower than those reported for soil and water samples of Himachal Pradesh. These values are also lower than those reported by Singh et al. for the rocks belonging to uranium and copper mines of Bihar.

Variability of radon concentrations in different compartments of dwellings in Egypt

Inhalation of indoor radon has been recognized as one of the health hazards. Building materials, natural gas and underground-derived water supply are considered the major sources of indoor radon and its daughters. In this work a set of radon measurements was carried out, using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detector, in different compartments of dwellings in Cairo built of the same type of building materials. The results showed that the radon concentrations and exhalation rates in these houses varied from 47.94 to 84.32 Bqm-3 and 2.59 to 4.04 mBqm-2 h-2 respectively. The mean values of radon concentrations in living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens were 50.98 +/- 1.94, 53.18 +/- 3.69, 79.36 +/- 2.96, and 81.29 +/- 1.93 Bqm-3, respectively. The mean values of exhalation rates were 2.68 +/- 0.11, 2.79 +/- 0.19, 4.01 +/- 0.18, and 4.22 +/- 0.12 mBqm-2 h-1, respectively. This data show that bathrooms and kitchens have significantly higher radon concentrations and exhalation rates compared with other compartments and the outdoor levels

Diurnal and monthly variation of indoor radon and thoron progeny concentrations at a hillside place of northern India.

The natural radioactivity levels all over the world can create health problems due to the inhalation of radioactive aerosols. Radon and thoron progeny content of indoor air have major contribution to natural radiation dose. In the present study, simultaneous indoor measurements of radon and thoron progeny concentrations have been carried out over a period of four months at a low activity hilly area of northern Punjab, India to see their diurnal and monthly variations. The method used for this purpose is based on the defined solid angle absolute beta counting of radioactive aerosols sampled on a filter. The average values of equilibrium equivalent radon and thoron concentrations were 5.20 Bq m(-3) and 0.235 Bq m(-3), respectively, over the period August to November 2003. Both, EECRn and EECTh show a negative correlation with temperature.

Indoor radon in Thailand: a study with particular reference to its sources.

Measurements of radon gas were carried out on each floor of the four tall concrete buildings. The results show clearly that levels of radon concentration on the higher floors of the buildings were mostly comparable and occasionally were much higher than the ground-floor in contact with the earth. Hence, the findings indicate that the source of indoor radon is not only the surrounding soil but also other sources in the buildings, i.e. most likely radium-containing building materials.