Assessment of Annual Effective Dose from Equilibrium Equivalent Concentration of 222RN and 220RN in Northern Zone of Punjab (India)

Authors

  • Pargin Bangotra
  • Pragya Pandit
  • S. Shankara Narayanan
  • Pramod K Singh
  • Manish Sharma
  • R.M Mehra
  • Rohit Mehra
  • Meenakshi Arora

Abstract

Radon (222Rn) and Thoron (220Rn) are prime contributors to the ionizing radiological doses received by the mankind. High concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn may elevate the risk of radiological exposure to general populace. In Indoor environment, most of the dose has been given by the 222Rn and 220Rn progeny. In the present manuscript, total equilibrium equivalent concentration of 222Rn (EERCA+U) and 220Rn (EETCA+U) has been calculated by using deposition based progeny sensors in the dwellings of North region of Punjab (India). The separate attached and unattached EEC has also been discussed in the manuscript. The estimated (EERCA+U) and (EETCA+U) in the studied region fluctuate in the range from 11 Bq m-3 to 33 Bq m-3 and 0.8 Bq m-3 to 2.2 Bq m-3 respectively. The unattached fractions of EEC are directly responsible for the dose received by organs and target cells. In the present manuscript, unattached fraction and total radiological dose from 222Rn and 220Rn EEC has been estimated. The total inhalation dose originated from EERCA+U and EETCA+U was lower than its recommended limit.

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Published

2020-04-09

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Articles