Variability of radon and thoron equilibrium factors in indoor environment of Garhwal Himalaya. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prasad, Mukesh; Rawat, Mukesh; Dangwal, Anoop; Kandari, Tushar; Gusain, G.S.; Mishra, Rosaline; Ramola, R.C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 151:Part 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Radon -- Thoron -- DRPS -- DTPS -- EERC -- EETC; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.10.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: The measurements of radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations have been carried out in the dwellings of Uttarkashi and Tehri districts of Garhwal Himalaya, India using LR-115 detector based pin-hole dosimeter and DRPS/DTPS techniques. The equilibrium factors for radon, thoron and their progeny were calculated by using the values measured with these techniques. The average values of equilibrium factor between radon and its progeny have been found to be 0.44, 0.39, 0.39 and 0.28 for rainy, autumn, winter and summer seasons, respectively. For thoron and its progeny, the average values of equilibrium factor have been found to be 0.04, 0.04, 0.04 and 0.03 for rainy, autumn, winter and summer seasons, respectively. The equilibrium factor between radon and its progeny has been found to be dependent on the seasonal changes. However, the equilibrium factor for thoron and progeny has been found to be same for rainy, autumn and winter seasons but slightly different for summer season. The annual average equilibrium factors for radon and thoron have been found to vary from 0.23 to 0.80 with an average of 0.42 and from 0.01 to 0.29 with an average of 0.07, respectively. The detailed discussion of the measurement techniques and the explanation for the results obtained is given in the paper. Highlights: Equilibrium factors for indoor radon, thoron and their progeny were measured. Recently developed passive detector techniques were used for measurements. The values of equilibrium factors are comparable with world's average values. Equilibrium factor should be measured separately for individual dwelling. Separate values of equilibrium factors are useful to produce actual radiation dose.