Estimation of indoor radon, thoron, and their progeny concentrations in different types of dwellings in the Kapurthala district of Punjab, India

Abstract

A study has been carried out to assess the exposure levels due to radon, thoron, and progeny, for inhabitants of the Kapurthala district of Punjab, India. In the present investigation, the average values of radon concentration in winter, summer, and rainy seasons were found to be 27.4 ± 10.3 Bqm−3, 15.9 ± 8.0 Bqm3, and 21.1 ± 8.6 Bqm−3, respectively, while the corresponding values for thoron were 43.9 ± 20.6 Bqm−3, 28.1 ± 20.1 Bqm−3, and 34.5 ± 20.4 Bqm−3, respectively, in the Kapurthala district of Punjab. Similarly, the values of annual inhalation dose have been found to be 0.68 ± 0.23 mSvy−1, 0.42 ± 0.18 mSvy−1, and 0.54 ± 0.20 mSvy−1 in winter, summer, and rainy seasons, respectively. The results of our survey indicate that radon, thoron, and their progeny concentrations and inhalation dose are within the safe limits as prescribed by health agencies.

Keywords

• inhalation dose
• pin-hole dosimeter
• progeny
• radon
• thoron