Assessment of Radon (222Rn) and Thoron (220Rn) in Environmental Resources of a High-Background-Radiation Area, India

The cornerstone of the study is to quantify the Rn-222/Rn-220 levels and the associated health risk in the environment of a heavy mineral-rich area in India. Rn-222 and Rn-220 activity was measured in environmental resources like soil, water, and indoor air. The analysis was performed using a well-calibrated online Rn-222/Rn-220 monitor (RAD 7) which is having a solid-state semiconductor detector system. The Rn-222 depth profile in soil gas and exhalation rates of Rn-222 and Rn-220 from soil were monitored. The measured Rn-222 activity in the indoor air of the study area concluded an effective radiation dose of 0.44-1.81 mSv.y(-1) and an ELCR of 0.17-0.7%. Groundwater and surface waters from the high-background-radiation area were also analysed for dissolved Rn-222 activity which contributes to a total radiation dose from 2.7 to 21.4 mu Sv.y(-1).