Abstract
The combustion of coal in various thermal power plants results in the release of some natural radioactivity to the atmosphere through formation of flyash and bottom ash or slag. This consequently increases the radioactivity in soil, water and atmosphere around thermal power plants. As the radon in the atmosphere (indoor and outdoor), soil, ground water, oil and gas deposits contributes the largest fraction of the natural radiation dose to populations, enhanced interest exhibited in tracking its concentration is thus fundamental for radiation protection, health and hygiene point of view. In the present study, measurements of radon emanation from coal, flyash, soil and water samples collected from five thermal power plants of north India have been made using SSNTDs. The average values of radon emanation at equilibrium in the air volume of Cans above different samples varied from 433 ′ 28 Bq m - 3 to 2086 ′ 36 Bq m - 3 ; mass exhalation rates from 13 mBq kg - 1 hr - 1 to 168 mBq kg - 1 hr - 1 and surface exhalation rates from 302 mBq m - 2 hr - 1 to 1482 mBq m - 2 hr - 1 , The measured average radon concentration in the atmosphere of the thermal power plants have been found to vary from 558 ′ 40 Bq m - 3 to 682′ 60 Bq m - 3 . Based upon these values, the average annual effective doses have also been calculated.
Published Version
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