Distribution of radon concentration levels along the northeast coast of Andhra Pradesh, India

The present work aims at the estimation of indoor radon levels along the north east coast of Andhra Pradesh from Visakhapatnam to Kalingapatnam. The beach sands of these areas are known for their high mineralization and heavy metal mineral extraction is being planned in these areas. This extraction process can elevate the radiation levels in the environment and the present data can be used as baseline data. This pre-operational data is useful to compare the radiation levels during the extraction and to take the remedial measures at appropriate time to undermine the radiation effects, if the levels are higher than the recommended levels. The indoor radon concentration levels in the study area, estimated using twin chamber cup dosimeters, are found to vary from 25 to 198 Bq m-3 with a mean of 65 ± 35 Bqm-3. Annual inhalation doses due to radon are computed using the equilibrium factors and occupancy factors suggested by UNSCEAR. The annual effective dose in the study area is found to be 17±0.28 mSv. (author)