Study on Radon and Thoron Levels in and Around Different Industries of Tumkur and Bangalore Districts

Abstract

Radon, Thoron and their progenies were estimated in and around the industrial area of Tumkur and Bangalore rural district by using Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) method. In this study the rice mills, paint industries, bio fuels, tyre recycling industries, granite industries, stone crushing industries, brick industries, oil seed industries, and garments are selected for indoor radon thoron measurements. The study shows that the concentration of radon and thoron are widely varies and also depends on the industrial activity and type of construction of industry. The study shows that the concentration of radon varies from 35.51 ± 1.31 to 245.36 ± 1.21 Bqm-3 with an average value of 115.31 Bqm-3 and thoron varies from 25.95 ± 2.36to 312.72 ± 1.58 Bqm-3 with an average value of 110.44 Bqm-3. The average radon concentrations are less than the lower limit of the action levels (200-300 Bqm-3) as recommended by ICRP. The corresponding progeny level of radon varies from 0.24 to 13 mWL and thoron progeny varies from 0.11 to 11 mWL. The annual effective doses received by the industrial workers are slightly lower than the recommended action level (3-10 mSvy-1).