lndoor radon levels and radon effective dose rate determination using SSNTDs

Indoor radon measurements were carried out in an effort to assess the magnitude of radon problem and its public health consequences in the dwellings of different villages/towns of Kapurthala district of Punjab, India. Passive Alpha Track methodology was used for indoor radon measurements using LR-115 type II detectors (SSNTDs). The measured annual average indoor radon concentrations and the annual effective dose in these houses varied from (86.31 to 114.96) Bq m-3 and (1.47 to 1.96) mSv y-1 respectively. The measured values of annual effective dose are less than the lower limit of the recommended action level (3-10 mSv). The winter to summer ratio has also been calculated for all the studied dwellings and this ratio varies from 0.63 to 1.9. In general, it is found that the indoor radon concentration is higher in winter season than in the summer season. Effect of ventilation conditions on measured radon levels inside dwellings is also discussed. The present indoor radon concentration values are on the higher side than the world average of 40 Bqm-3. (author)