Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T09:15:46.751Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Indoor radon concentration levels, gamma doserates and impact of geology – A case study in Kotli, State of AzadJammu and Kashmir, sub-Himalayas, in Pakistan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2012

A. Iqbal
Affiliation:
Department of PhysicsUniversity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir Pakistan
M. Shahid Baig
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir Pakistan
M. Akram
Affiliation:
Physics DivisionPakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) P.O. Nilore Islamabad Pakistan
A.A. Qureshi
Affiliation:
Radiation Research labs, Comsats Inhalation Institute of Information Technology Islamabad Pakistan
Get access

Abstract

Inhalation of indoor radon has been recognized as thelargest contributor to the total effective dose received by humanbeings. Indoor radon data were collected from the dwellings lyingon the sedimentary rocks (sandstones, siltstones and clays) ofthe Murree Formation, Nagri Formation, Dhok Pathan Formation, Mirpurconglomerate and surficial deposits of the Kotli area in Azad Jammuand Kashmir, Pakistan. Radon measurements were made using the passivetime-integrated method using Kodak CN-85 Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors.The radon concentration in dwellings varied from 13 ± 6 Bq.m-3 to185 ± 23 B. qm-3, with an average of 73 ± 15 Bq.m-3.Theradon concentration in the Murree Formation, Nagri Formation, riverterrace and Dhok Pathan Formation were 89.7 ± 16.5, 72 ± 15, 68.5and 69 Bq.m-3, respectively. The average value of allthe measured concentrations (73 ± 15 Bq.m-3) within theframework of this study is more than the world average value of40 Bq.m-3 given by UNSCEAR (United Nations ScientificCommittee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, report to the GeneralAssembly, United Nations, New York, 2000) and is within the actionlevel of 200-600 Bq.m-3 fixed by the ICRP(InternationalCommission on Radiological Protection, ICRP publication65, Protectionagainst radon at home and at work, 1993). The ambient gamma doserates both indoors and outdoors in different parts of Kotli werealso measured. The average value of gamma absorbed dose rates prevailingin the indoor environment was 131.2 ± 16.6 nGy/h. The gamma exposurerates recorded outdoors were 35% lower than in the indoor environment.The measured gamma dose rates have a weak positive correlation withindoor radon concentration. The annual effective dose for inhabitantsin Kotli due to radon ranged from 0.32 to 4.7 mSv.y-1,with an average value of 1.8 mSv.y-1. This dose is relativelyhigher than the world mean dose of 1.15 mSv/y. That is explainedby the particular geology of the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,and the method of construction of the dwellings.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akhtar S.S., Ahmad M., Hussain A. (2004) Geological map of the Gulpur area, Kotli and Mirpur Districts, AJK, GeolSurv, Pakistan Map series, 6-26.
Akram, M., Khattak, N.U., IqbalArshid, ., Qureshi, A.A., Ullah, K., Qureshi, I.E. (2005) Measurement of Radon concentration in dwellings of Skardu city, Pakistan, Rad. Meas. 40, 695-698.Google Scholar
Appleton, J.D., Radon: Sources, Health Risks, and Hazard Mapping. (2007) J. Human Environment, 36 (1), 85-89.Google ScholarPubMed
Baig, M.S. (1991) Geochronology of pre-Himalayan and Himalayan tectonic events, Northwest Himalaya, Pakistan, Kashmir J. Geol. 8&9, 197.Google Scholar
Choubey, V.M., Ramola, R.C. (1997) Correlation between geology and radon levels in groundwater, soil and ondoor air in Bhilangana valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Envir. geo. 32 (4), 258-262.Google Scholar
Deka, P.C., Sarkar, S., Bhattacharjee, B., Goswami, T.D., Sharma, B.K., Ramachandran, T.V. (2003) Measurement of radon and thoron concentration by using LR-115 type-11 plastic track detectors in the environ of Brahamputra valley, Assam, India, Rad. Meas. 36, 431-434.Google Scholar
Erees, F.S., Akozcan, S., Parlak, Y., Cam, S., 2005. Assessment of dose rates around Manisa, Turkey, Rad. Meas. 41, 598-601.Google Scholar
Faheem, M., Matiullah, (2008) Indoor radon concentration levels in several districts of the Punjab province – Pakistan, Rad. Meas. 43, S380-S384.Google Scholar
Fleischer R.L., Price P.B., Walker R.M. (1975) Nuclear Tracks in solids: Principles and Applications, University of California press, Berklay.
Fujimoto, K. (1998) Correlation between indoor radon concentration and dose rate in air from terrestrial gamma radiation in Japan, Health Phys. 75, 1-7.Google ScholarPubMed
Gillmore, G.K., Jabarivasal, N. (2010) A reconnaissance study of radon concentration in Hamadan city, Iran. Nat.Haz. Earth Sys. Sci. 10, 857-863.Google Scholar
ICRP (1993) International commission on Radiological Protection. Protection against radon at home and at work, ICRP Publication 65, Ann. ICRP 23 (2).
Iqbal, A., Baig, M.S., Akram, M., Kazmi, A., Saleem, S., Qureshi, A.A. (2008) Radon levels in dwellings of Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Sub Himalayas Pakistan: Indoor Built Environ. 17(5), 397-402. Google Scholar
Iqbal, A., Baig, M.S., Akram, M., Abbasi, S.A. (2010) Indoor radon concentration, outdoor gamma dose rates and impact of geology in the Dhirkot areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, sub-Himalayas, Pakistan, Radioprotection 45, 523-535. Google Scholar
Kam, E., Bozkurt, A. (2007) Environmental radioactivity measurements in Kastamonu region of northern Turky, Appl. Rad. Iso. 65, 440-444.Google Scholar
Karpinska, M., Wolkowiez, S., Mnich, Z., Zalewski, M., Mamont-Ciesla, K., Kapala, J. (2002) Comparative studies of health hazard from radon (Rn-222) in two selected lithologic formations in the Suwalki region (Poland): J. Environ. Radioact. 61, 149-158. Google Scholar
Khan, M.S., Naqvi, A.H., Azam, A. (2008) Study of indoor radon and its progeny levels in rural areas of north India using LR-115 plastic track detectors, Radiat. Meas. 43, S385-S388.Google Scholar
Khan, S.A., Ali, S., Tufail, M., Qureshi, A.A. (2005) Radon concentration levels in Fatima Jinnah Women University Pakistan, Radioprotection 40(1), 11-27.Google Scholar
Makelainen, I., Arvela, H., Voutilainen, A. (2001) Correlations between radon concentration and indoor gamma dose rate, soil permeability and dwelling substructure and ventilation, Sci. Total Environ., 272, 283-289. Google ScholarPubMed
Moughal M.N., Khan R.U., Hussain A. (2004) Geological map of Kotli and Sudhnoti Districts AJK, Geol. Surv. Pakistan, Geological mapseries. 6-23.
Pilkyte, L., Butkus, D. (2005) Influence of gamma radiation of indoor radon decay products on absorbed dose rates, J. Environ. Engineer Landscape management 13-2, 65-72.Google Scholar
Rahman, S.U., Anwar, J., Matiullah, . (2008) Measurement of indoor radon concentration levels in Islamabad, Pakistan, Rad. Meas. 43, S401-S404. Google Scholar
Ramola, R.C., Negi, M.S., Choubey, V.M. (2005) Radon and thoron monitoring in the environment of Kumaun Himalayas:Survey and outcomes, J. Environ. Radioact. 9, 85-92.Google Scholar
Reddy, B.S., Reddy, M.S., Reddy, C.G., Reddy, P.Y., Reddy, K.R. (2003) Airborne radioactivity levels in dwellings of Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Rad. Meas. 36, 503-506.Google Scholar
Singh, S., Kumar, A., Singh, B. (2005a) Passive integrating radon studies for environmental monitoring in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India using solid state nuclear trackdectectors, Radiat. Meas. 39, 81-85.Google Scholar
Singh, S., Mehra, R., Singh, K. (2005b). Seasonal variation of indoor radon in dwellings of Malwa region, Punjab, Atmos. Environ. 39, 7761-7767.Google Scholar
Singh, S., Sharma, D.K., Kumar, A. (2004) Environmental radon studies using solid state nuclear track detectors, J. Environ. Radioact. 76, 369-376.Google ScholarPubMed
Sundal, A.V., Henriksen, H., Soldal, O., Strand, T. (2004) The influence of geological factors on indoor radon concentrations in Norway, Sci. Total Environ. 328, 41-53. Google ScholarPubMed
Tufail, M., Ahmad, N. (1992) Measurement of radon in some cities of Pakistan and assessment of Excess lung cancer risk, Nucl. Sci. J. 29 (4), 263-272.Google Scholar
UNSCEAR (2000) United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic radiation, Report to the General Assembly, United Nations, New York.
US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) 402/K-09/001A Citizen guide to Radon: The guide to protecting yourself and your family from Radon.
Yarar, Y., Kam, E. (2005) Environmental radioactivity concentrations of Tekirdag, Int. cong. series. 1276, 387-389.Google Scholar
Wadia D.N. (1928) The geology of Poonch state of (Kashmir) and adjacent areas of the Punjab: MemGeolSurv; Indian Records, 11.
Wadia, D.N. (1931). The syntaxis of the Northwest Himalaya: its rocks, tectonics and orogeny: Mem. Geol. Surv, Indian Records. 65, 185-370.Google Scholar
World Health Organisation (WHO) (2009). A hand book on indoor radon: A public health prospective.