Assessment of Radon (222Rn) and Thoron (220Rn) in Environmental Resources of a High-Background-Radiation Area, India

The cornerstone of the study is to quantify the 222 Rn/ 220 Rn levels and the associated health risk in the environment of a heavy mineral-rich area in India. 222 Rn and 220 Rn activity was measured in environmental resources like soil, water, and indoor air. The analysis was performed using a well-calibrated online 222 Rn/ 220 Rn monitor (RAD 7) which is having a solid-state semiconductor detector system. The 222 Rn depth profile in soil gas and exhalation rates of 222 Rn and 220 Rn from soil were monitored. The measured 222 Rn activity in the indoor air of the study area concluded an effective radiation dose of 0.44–1.81 mSv.y −1 and an ELCR of 0.17–0.7%. Groundwater and surface waters from the high-background-radiation area were also analysed for dissolved 222 Rn activity which contributes to a total radiation dose from 2.7 to 21.4 µSv.y −1 .