Long-term simultaneous measurement of indoor concentration of radon and thoron progeny in the dwellings of Una and Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Long-term simultaneous measurement of indoor concentration of radon and thoron progeny is made using passive alpha track detectors in the dwellings of Una and Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The preliminary results of these measurements are reported, particularly regarding direct thoron progeny sensor (DTPS) and direct radon progeny sensor (DRPS) being set up in real field conditions for the first time in Himachal Pradesh. The concentrations of radon and thoron progenies (equilibrium equivalent radon and thoron concentration (EERC/EETC)) were measured for all the seasons of the year. A remarkable finding is the positive correlation between EERC and EETC (R2 = 0.79 in summer and R2 = 0.81 in winter). A comparison was made with the measurements of EERC/EETC in summer and winter season. The ratio of EETC/EERC was calculated and this agrees with worldwide range. This study contributes to the status of Himachal Pradesh in the mapping of radon in India.