Measurement of Radon Exhalation Rate from Building Materials used in the southwest coastal region of India

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a sample survey carried out to study the radon profile and radon exhalation rate in commonly used building materials used for construction of dwellings around high background areas of south India. Simultaneously, radon concentrations were also measured using passive detector techniques. Experimental procedure used for the measurement was the track etch technique. Radon emanation rates from the building materials studied varied from 17.7—308 mBq · m-3 · h-1. Estimated exhalation rates have been compared with others found in the literature.