Estimation of Exhalation Rates of Radon and Thoron in the Soil Samples Collected from Gurugram, Haryana, India

Abstract

Natural radioactivity is the term used to describe radioactivity that persists in the soil, rocks, and water due to fundamental radionuclides such as uranium, thorium, potassium, etc. As a result, radiation affects everyone on the planet. Researchers worldwide find this topic particularly interesting due to the hazardous effects of radionuclides on human health. A systematic survey employing trustworthy methodological approaches is necessary to objectively assess these radionuclides in the environment. In the present paper, ZnS:Ag scintillator-based SMART RnDuo (AQTEK System, India) is used to measure exhalation rates of isotopes 222Rn and 220Rn (radon and thoron) of soil samples. Forty soil samples were studied. For the study of 222Rn, monitoring of the mass exhalation (Rm) was conducted. In the case of 220Rn, monitoring of surface exhalation (Rs) was studied. The radon mass exhalation rate is found in the range of 14±1 to 55±5 mBqkg−1h−1 with an average of 34±10 mBqkg−1h−1 and thoron surface exhalation rate in the range of 2200±215 to 7560±420 Bqm−2h−1 with an average of 4280±960 Bqm−2h−1. Thus, elevated thoron level is observed in most of the samples. Results are compared with the world’s average values.