Study of radon concentration and its influencing factors in the lower atmosphere, Bangalore, South India

Over the past few decades, there has been a large scientific interest in the study of environmental radon. One of the main reasons is its associated health hazard because it is found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking; another is its widespread use as a good natural tracer of vertical dispersion. The outdoor radon concentrations found during surveys of France were as high as 400 Bq m^-3, being equal to action level recommended by the ICRP-1993. Hence it is important to know the levels of radon in our living environment. The concentration of radon in the lower atmosphere is governed by several geophysical and meteorological parameters. In the present study the measurement of diurnal and seasonal variations of radon, its exhalation rate and meteorological parameters such as temperature and humidity were carried out for a period of 1 year at Bangalore. The observed diurnal variations were studied with respect to the meteorological parameters and the exhalation rates prevailing during the time of measurements of radon concentration. From the measured concentrations, the inhalation dose to the general public was also estimated