Mapping the Variation in Indoor Radon, Thoron and Their Progeny Concentration for Different Seasons

Abstract

An investigation on passive measurement of indoor radon and thoron concentration was carried out in 50 dwellings of the Patiala district of Punjab, India. A one-year study was conducted to cover all the seasons, and seasonal variation of these radioactive gases was reported. All the measurements were performed using pin-hole dosimeters for passive measurement of radon and thoron gases and their progeny for different seasons. To quantify attached and unattached progeny concentration, DRPS/DTPS and wire-mesh DRPS/DTPS were deployed with dosimeters. The average radon and thoron concentration in all the seasons was below the ICRP action level limit of 200-300 Bq/m3. Out of all season's data, the maximum value of radon and thoron was observed during the winter and the minimum for summer. The ratio of radon and thoron concentration for different seasons was also calculated in this report. Average annual indoor concentrations are compared with the average concentration of different seasons. It was concluded that the average concentration value is very near to monsoon season values, suggesting that the monsoon season is ideal for radon and thoron measurements.