A Detailed Study of the Radon and Progeny Levels in Houses of Bangalore Metropolis, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Introduction: Radon, a radioactive inert gas that makes up a significant portion of the background radiation to which people are exposed, can endanger public health when it builds up in inadequately ventilated residential and commercial spaces. The lungs' exposure to alpha particles after inhaling Radon decay products accounts for around half of the overall radiation effective dose to the general public. Objectives: To observe the variation of radon and progeny levels in different locations and different houses of Bangalore city having variety of features viz., season, walls, rooms, flooring, volume and diurnal various. Methods: Standard protocols provided by Environmental Assessment division, Bhabha atomic research centre, Mumbai is followed for the all the measurements. Results: In this outlook, the interior atmosphere must have to be carried out for both 222Rn (radon) and 220Rn (thoron) levels in order to provide an accurate assessment of the natural breathing dose. For the present study a sizable number of measurements had been made for more than eight years which examined the effective dose rates caused by indoor levels of 222Rn, 220Rn, and their progeny during various seasons of the year. In order to lessen the effective dosage rate, it is advised that lower size houses have sufficient ventilation and granite floorings to be avoided. Conclusions: More thorough research should be planned and carried out in this area and across the nation on the evaluation of public exposure to natural radiation, particularly the exposure from 222Rn, 220Rn and their offspring.