Summary of studies on radon and thoron in West Coast region of India

Radon-222 and Radon-220 and its short-lived decay products in the atmosphere are the most important contributors to human exposure from natural sources. Measurements of 222Rn and 220Rn and their progeny concentrations in indoor and outdoor environment are important to estimate the inhalation dose to the population of the region. Also, measurements of 222Rn and progeny concentrations in the atmosphere, soil gas and rate of exhalation have many environmental and geophysical applications. We have carried out extensive study on indoor and outdoor 222Rn, 220Rn and their progeny concentrations and their dependence on ambient temperature, pressure and humidity, rate of 222Rn exhalation rate from the soil and concentrations in soil gas in the West Coast region of India for the last 15 years. This paper presents a summary of the results of these studies