Levels of indoor radon, thoron, and their progeny in Himalaya

摘要

Levels of radon, thoron, and their progeny were measured in the houses of Garhwal and Kumaun Himalaya using LR-115 plastic track detectors. Radon and thoron concentrations were found to vary from 7 to 191 Bq/m~3, and from 1 to 145 Bq/m3, respectively. The equilibrium factor between radon and progeny varies from 0.02 to 0.90, with an average of 0.26 for the region. The resulting dose rate due to radon, thoron, and their decay products varied from 0.04 to 1.89 muSv/h with an average of 0.96 muSv/h. In comparison to the international recommendations, the observed dose rates due to radon, thoron and progeny was found somewhat higher but well below the international recommendations.