Studies on ambient gamma dose rate and enrichment of radon, thoron, and progeny concentration in various types of dwellings and outdoor environments of Kalliasseri, Kannur district, Kerala

Abstract

The major contribution of natural background radiation exposure comes from radon, thoron, and their progeny. The activity concentration of these radionuclides depends on various factors, and the concentration level varies from place to place. The indoor concentration in dwellings depends mainly on the materials used for building construction and ventilation patterns. In the present study, an attempt is made to estimate the indoor and outdoor radon, thoron, and their progeny concentration in various types of dwellings and outdoor environments of Kalliasseri Panchayat, Kannur district, Kerala. 222Rn and 220Rn measurements were carried out using LR-115 type II-based pinhole cup dosimeters. Indoor and outdoor gamma exposure rate measurements were also carried out in all the dwellings using scintillation-based microradiation survey meter. The average concentrations of radon and thoron were estimated in about 40 dwellings categorized according to the construction type. The seasonal variation in the enrichment of radionuclides concentration has also been studied. The respective radon and thoron progeny levels were also estimated. The average radon concentration from the present study was well within the action level (200 Bq/m3) recommended by the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP). The annual effective doses due to indoor radon and thoron were within the action level 3–10 mSv/y as suggested by the ICRP.

Keywords

• Annual effective doses
• gamma dose rate
• pinhole cup dosimeter
• radon
• thoron