Concentrations of radon and its daughter products in and around Bangalore city

Abstract

Indoor radon and its progeny levels were measured during 2005-06 in Bangalore rural district and in Bangalore City by using Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD)-based twin cup dosemeters, and the activity of radium present in soils and rocks was measured by using HPGe detector. Fifty dwellings of different types were chosen for the measurement. The dosimeters containing the detector (LR-115 Type II Film) used in each house were fixed 2 m above the floor. After an exposure time of 90 days, films were etched to reveal tracks. From the track density, the concentrations of radon were evaluated. The value of radon concentration in the indoor air near granite quarries varies from 55 to 300 Bq.m(-3) with a median of 155 Bq.m(-3) and its progeny varies from 0.24 to 19.6 mWL with a median of 8.4 mWL. In Bangalore City, the concentration of radon varies from 18.4 to 110 Bq.m(-3) with a median of 45 Bq.m(-3) and its progeny varies from 1.62 to 11.24 mWL with a median of 4.15 mWL. Higher concentrations of radon and its progeny were observed in granite quarries compared with Bangalore City. The main reason for the higher indoor radon and its progeny concentration is due to the mining activity and the types of the bedrock. The concentration of radon mainly depends on the activity of radium present in soils and rocks and the types of building materials used. The activity of radium varies in granitic regions of Bangalore rural district from 42.0 to 163.6 Bq.kg(-1) with a median of 112.8 Bq.kg(-1). The concentrations of indoor radon and its daughter products and equivalent effective dose are discussed.