Environmental radon: Health aspects and present status in northern India

Abstract

Following the discovery of high levels of indoor radon in various parts of the world, every environmental protection agency is determined to address the potential radon problem. In India, many research groups are determined to characterize the problem as it might exist in Indian dwellings, where poor ventilation and mud structures are common. Not only radon but also its progeny are radioactive. Being a gas radon can disperse and its progeny can attach to aerosols/dust particles to be transmitted in indoor environments. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in North America and the leading cause of lung cancer for individuals who have never smoked. Due to potential public health implications of exposure to high levels of radon, the characterization of radon problem in India must also be complemented with the development of a program to educate the public regarding radon. This paper is an attempt to provide awareness about the environmental radon, its origin, health concerns, present status of radon concentrations in dwellings of Northern India and some remedial actions for protection from radiation. The estimated indoor radon levels are looked into as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, 2009.