Measurement of radon exhalation rate in building materials Southern Karnataka, India

Radon is a radioactive gas originate from uranium decay series of natural sources has significant share in the total quantum of natural sources of exposure. Radon is produced in environment due to decay of radionuclides present in soil, ground water, gas deposition and building materials. Radon and its decay products in environment are known as carcinogens. Radon and its decay products pose significant health hazards, especially when concentrated in some enclosures such as underground mines, caves, poorly ventilated and badly designed houses. On the basis of epidemiological studies, it has been established that enhanced levels of indoor radon in dwellings can cause health hazard and may lead to serious diseases like lung cancer in human beings. Accurate, reliable and easy measurement of radon and radon exhalation rate from building materials are of paramount importance. The indoor concentration of radon depends upon radionuclides present indifferent types of building materials, construction and radon exhalation rate. The transfer rate of radon per unit area from the earth surface or any solid substance is referred as radon exhalation rate. The rate of radon exhalation from soil depends on geophysical parameters such as geology of the region, soil porosity, soil texture, soil humidity (moisture content), soil temperature and also on meteorological parameters. In this context, we select to measure radon exhalation rate in different types of building materials of Southern Karnataka state, India