First indoor radon mapping and assessment excess lifetime cancer risk in Iran

Abstract Radon and thoron are natural radioactive gases that tend to accumulate in the indoor environment and one of their major health implications is the ability to cause lung cancer. Present study comprises the quantification of radon and thoron activity concentrations and measurement of gamma exposure rates in different types of dwellings from the endosulfan-affected area, Panathady, Kasaragod district, Kerala. It is observed that, residents of this area were more prone to various diseases and health problems including cancer. The LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors with single entry pin-hole based dosemeters have been used for the measurement of 222Radon and 220Rn activity concentrations. The assessment of radiological parameters such as annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk has also been done in order to understand the dose level and the associated risk. The estimated values have been compared with the limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The average indoor radon and thoron activity concentrations observed in these dwellings were 134 ± 30 and 111 ± 28 Bq m−3, respectively. The estimated activity concentrations, effective doses, etc. are found to be within the recommended level by the UNSCEAR or ICRP.

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Mapping of indoor radon survey and dose estimations in health centres in Turkey

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x15606508 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 327-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nevzat Damla ◽

Ayhan Kara ◽

Eyüp Tel ◽

Cafer M. Yesilkanat

Keyword(s):

Cancer Risk ◽

Effective Dose ◽

Annual Effective Dose ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Future Research ◽

Indoor Radon Concentration ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

Health Centres ◽

Level 3

Radon and its short-lived daughter products, leading to lung cancer, are the most significant contribution to the exposure of man to ionizing radiation from natural sources. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess indoor radon measurements in 39 rooms of 15 health centres in Osmaniye city, Turkey using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors based on radon dosimeters. Indoor radon concentrations were found to change from 8 to 108 Bq·m−3. The associated radiological parameters such as the annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were computed for staff/patient in the rooms surveyed. The mean annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk values were estimated to be 0.29 mSv and 1.02 × 10−3, respectively. The annual computed effective doses are lower than the suggested action level (3–10 mSv·y−1). Also, with ordinary Kriging method, by using R programing language and quantum geographic information system, indoor radon concentration, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk interpolated values were recorded and mapped. The findings obtained in the current study concerning radon levels and their variations will provide baseline values for future research surveys.

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