Book of Abstracts - RADNET

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Book of Abstracts

Third National Conference On

Radiation Awareness and Detection in Natural Environment (RADNET-III)

March 18-20, 2021

Organized by Department of Physics, Govt. P.G. College

New Tehri, Tehri Garhwal

& Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University

Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal

In Collaboration with

National Radon Network Society

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CONTENTS

Keynote Address Page

Canadian Radon Initiatives and Comparison of Consumer-Grade Electronic Radon

Monitors. Pam Warkentin

07

Invited Talks IT01 Protection from radon exposure in workplaces and dwellings: some lessons from the

past and challenges for the future. Francesco Bochicchio

09

IT02 ICRP Radon Dose Conversion Factors in the context of public exposure control

strategies. James P McLaughlin

10

IT03 Gamma radioactivity induced in the “cyclotron environment” on the example of the

Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB) at the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish

Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland. Krzysztof Kozak, Szymon Guguła, Dominik

Grządziel

11

IT04 Advances in radon research and national radon action plan in Cameroon. Saidou 12

IT05 From Data to decisions - Challenges in Implementing Quality-Assured Radon

Mitigation Policy. Peter Bossew

13

IT06 Radiological and geochemical characterization of beach placer deposits in a

natural high background radiation area of India. Sarata Kumar Sahoo, Nimelan

Veerasamy

14

IT07 Natural radioactivity measurements in high background areas (HBRA’s) in parts of

India: reliable detection, remediation and awareness. Samikshya Mohanty,

Debashish Sengupta

15

IT08 Japanese bathing treatment with radiation hot springs. Kenji Sugimori, Katsumi

Shozugawa, Mayumi Hori 16

IT09 A unique high natural background radiation area in Indonesia. M.Hosoda, Eka

Djatnika Nugraha, Yuki Tamakuma, Chutima Kranrod, Naofumi Akata, Shinji

Tokonami

17

IT10 Radon time-series data for earthquake precursory studies in Taiwan: An overview.

Vivek Walia, Arvind Kumar

18

IT11 Application of solid-state nuclear track detectors for seismic and volcanic/mud

volcanic studies in Taiwan. Arvind Kumar, Vivek Walia

19

IT12 Ion Beam induced tailoring in nanostructures. R.P.Chauhan 20

IT13 Bio and environmental monitoring under the shadow of COVID-19. Tibor Kovacs 21

IT14 Radon as tracer in Altamira Cave: last results. Luis Quindos 22

IT15 Determination of the thoron emanation coefficient and testing

the influence of various factors on its value. Jadwiga Mazur, Krzysztof Kozak,

Karolina Danyłec

23

IT16 Evaluation of in-house treatment methods prior to etching CR-39 chips exposed

to alpha particles. M. Janik, P. Bossew, T. Kovacs, Md M. Hasan, N. Kavasi

24

IT17 Advances in Radon-Thoron Gas Monitoring System and Potential Applications.

B.K.Sahoo, J.J.Gaware and B.K.Sapra

25

IT18 Opportunities for collaborative research in radiation physics at Mangalore

University. N. Karunakar

26

IT19 Mathematical Models on Radon and Thoron Behavior in the Indoor Environment:A

Review. PY.Reddy, Vinay Kumar Reddy, M. Sreenath Reddy,Ch. Gopal Reddy

27

IT20 Protocols and applications of direct adon and thoron progeny. Rosaline Mishra 28

2

IT21 Prevention aspects of health hazard due to X-ray radiation for the health workers,

patient and to general public in Mizoram. Jonathan Lalrinmawia, Kham Suan Pau

and Ramesh Chandra Tiwari

29

IT22 Uranium biokinetics in human adult from protracted ingestion of groundwater. Rohit

Mehra

30

IT23 Health effects of nuclear radiation exposure. B.S.Bajwa 31

Oral Presentations

O01 A new look at radiation dose due to thoron gas in Indian dwellings. S.D.Kanse,

B.K.Sahoo, J.J.Gaware, B.K.Sapra

33

O02 Characteristics of indoor Radon and Thoron Equilibrium Factors in Indian

dwellings. Mukesh Prasad, Peter Bossew, R.C.Ramola

33

O03 Assessment of indoor radon activity concentration levels in four northern districts

of Telangana State, India. G. Srinivas Reddy, K. Vinay Kumar Reddy, B. Sreenivasa

Reddy, B. Linga Reddy, M. Sreenath Reddy, Ch. Gopal Reddy, P. Yadagiri Reddy

34

O04 Estimation of indoor radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations in different

types of dwellings in Kapurthala district of Punjab, India. Manish Kumar, Navjeet

Sharma

34

O05 Radon and thoron concentrations in dwellings of Dakshina Kannada district of

Karnataka state, India. Lokesh N., Kamalakar V.D., Y. Narayana

35

O06 Measurement of indoor 222Rn, 220Rn and decay products along with naturally

occurring radionuclides in some Monuments of Punjab, India. Rupinderjeet Kaur,

Deep Shikha, Anjali Kaushal, Ruchie Gupta, Supreet Pal Singh, R.P.Chauhan,

Vimal Mehta

36

O07 Estimation radon, thoron and their progeny concentration using pin hole dosimeter

and their radiological hazards. Rangaswamy D.R., Srinivasa E, Suresh S, Sandeep

Dongre, Sannappa

36

O08 Seasonal variation of indoor radon and its progeny concentration in dwellings of

Trans-Yamuna Region Delhi, India. Ruchie Gupta, Mohinder Pal, Deep Shikha

37

O09 Radiological impact assessment of different building material additives. E. Kocsis,

E. Tóth-Bodrogi, A. Peka, M. Adelikhah, T. Kovács

37

O10 Estimation of indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) levels along with their

progeny in dwellings of Punjab, India. Deep Shikha, Rupinderjeet Kaur, Ruchie

Gupta, Jaswinder Kaur, Chandan, R.P. Chauhan, Supreet Pal Singh, Vimal Mehta

38

O11 Measurement of Indoor radon concentration in the Saharanpur district, Uttar

Pradesh using SSNTDs. Pankaj Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Rajnish Kumar,

R.B.S.Rawat, Kapil Vats

39

O12 Study of radon exhalation rates from coal using solid state nuclear track detectors.

Debajyoti Barooah, Pranjal Protim Gogoi

39

O13 Natural radioactivity in rocks and associated radiation exposure and radiological

hazards in the environs of Udupi on the south west coast of India. Sandesh Achari,

Vinutha P.R., Kaliprasad C.S., Narayana Y.

40

O14 Impact of radiations on human Life. Amita Raizada 40

O15 The study of EM radiative effects on human health caused by cellular

phones/networking towers. Rajesh Sharma, Paryag, Rajnish, Neha

41

O16 Effect of mobile phone radiations on plants-Manu Pant 41

O17 Estimation of IEF and SAR for human skin exposed to 5G spectrum. Rahul Kaushik 42

O18 Measurement of Soil Gas Radon, its Exhalation Rates and Activity Concentration

of Radionuclides in Soil Samples of Roopnagar District, Punjab, India. Vimal Mehta,

Rupinderjeet Kaur, Ruchie Gupta, Jaswinder Kaur, Deep Shikha, Supreet Pal Singh

42

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O19 Study of soil–gas and indoor radon concentrations in test village of Tehri Garhwal,

India. Pooja, Mukesh Prasad, R.C.Ramola

43

O20 Assessment of groundwater quality using hydrogeochemical methods in Bageshwar

district of Uttarakhand. Ankur Kumar, Prakhar Singh, Poonam Semwal, Kuldeep

Singh

43

O21 Radiometric analysis of groundwater samples in the vicinity of GHAVP nuclear

power station Fatehabad, Haryana. Manik Mehta, Sarabjot Kaur, Sansar Chand,

Rohit Mehra

44

O22 Assesment of radioactivity in drinking water. Prakhar Singh, Ankur Kumar, Taufiq

Ahamad, O.P.Nautiyal

44

O23 Soil radon monitoring for earthquake precursor study by networking approach in

eastern India. Saheli Chowdhury, Chiranjib Barman, Md. Nurujjaman, Dipok Bora,

Argha Deb

45

O24 Study of pre-seismic thoron anomaly using empirical mode decomposition based

Hibert Huang transform at Indo-Burman subduction region. T. Thuamthansanga,

B.K.Sahoo, R.C.Tiwari

46

O25 Radon and thoron exhalation affected by bedrock geology and geochemistry of

Udhampur and Reasi districts, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Ajay Kumar, Sumit

Sharma, Rohit Mehra, Rosaline Mishra, Ajay Kumar Taloor, Prosun Bhattacharya

46

O26 Uranium contamination in drinking water as a health concern in India. Mukesh

Prasad, Pooja, R.C. Ramola

47

O27 Application and Preparation of Polythiophene Nanocomposites. Neena Panghal 47

O28 Modification induced in Ga doped ZnO thin film using by Si+6 ions beam irradiation.

Sandhya Negi, M.P.S.Rana, Fouran Singh, G.S.Gusain, R.C.Ramola

48

O29 Estimation of seasonal Radon/Thoron levels and their exposure to inhabitants in

Ghuttu Window, Tehri Garhwal, India. Rohit Singh Sajwan ¸Veena Joshi, Naresh

Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Kavita Rawat, Mukesh Prasad, R.C.Ramola

49

O30 Synthesis of nanocrystalline Al2O3:C by thermal plasma reactorfor radiation

dosimetry applications. Nandkumar T.Mandlik, V.B.Varma, P.D.Sahare,

V.L.Mathe, S.V.Bhoraskar, S.D. Dhole

50

O31 Energy resolution of compton electrons in LaCl3:Ce using compact digitizer.

Sanjeet S. Kaintura, V. Ranga, S. Panwar, Kalyani, P. Sehgal, G. Anil Kumar

51

O32 Concentrations of heavy metals used in some personal care products used in Kano,

Nigeria. Habibu Ahmad Ibrahim, Abubakar Sani Garba, Yusuf Abubakar Maitama

Hotoro, Yahaya Ado Sumaila, Salisu Abdu Utai

52

O33 Geometrical stress tensor of the radiation fluctuation and quantum gravity. Shankar

Lal

52

O34 Assessment of radon-222 activity in groundwater and soil-gas in Purulia district,

West Bengal, India. Joydeep Mukherjee , Sayantan Mitra ,Sushanta Sutradhar,

SaheliChowdhury, Chiranjib Barman, Sonjoy Mondal, Argha Deb

53

O35 Development and Validation of CFD code for radon/thoron decay product studies.

Tarun K Agarwal, Mukesh Kumar, B.K. Sahoo, B.K. Sapra

53

O36 The importance of direct progeny measurements for correct estimation of effective

dose due to radon and thoron: application to the uranium and thorium region of

Lolodorf, Cameroon. Bineng Guillaume Samuel , Saïdou, Tokonami Shinji

54

O37 Mapping of radon concentration in drinking water of Davanagere district, Karnataka

State, India. Mohamed Hidayath, Chandrashekara M.S., Namitha S.N.

55

O38 Estimation of natural radioactivity and radiation hazard indices in soil samples of

Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India. Suresh S, Rangaswamy D.R., Sandeep

Dongre, Sannappa J., Srinivasa E., Rajesh

56

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O39 Seasonal and spatial variability of uranium and major ions in groundwater of

Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. Tanu Sharma, Bikramjit Singh Bajwa, Inderpreet

Kaur

56

O40 Uranium estimation, radiation dose assessment and physico-chemical parametric

study of underground water in Tarn Taran district, Punjab state, India. Archana,

Jaspal Singh

57

O41 A study of radon and thoron exhalation rate in soil samples from Barnala and Moga

sistricts, Punjab, India. Supriya Rani , Sandeep Kansal, Amit Kumar Singla, Rohit

Mehra

58

O42 Studies on natural radioactivity and physico-chemical parameters of soil in

Belagavi, India. Kamalakar V.D., Vinutha P.R., Kaliprasad C.S., Narayana Y.

58

O43 Effects of Meteorological parameters on Radon exhalation rate from soil, building

materials and its comparison with different techniques-A Review. Sandeep Dongre

Sunilkumar, Suresh S., Sannappa J.

59

O44 Annual monitoring of risk assessment due to radon, thoron and their progeny

element in the dwellings of Kumaon Himalaya region of Uttarakhand. Preeti Pant,

Tushar Kandari, R.C.Ramola

60

O45 Quantification of exhalation rate of Rn-222/Rn-220 in soil samples of Champawat

region of Kumaun Himalaya, India by using Active Technique. Taufiq Ahamad,

O.P.Nautiyal, Prakhar Singh, Manish Joshi, A.A.Bourai, A.S.Rana, Kuldeep Singh

60

O46 Studies on radon exhalation rate in soil samples and its radiological hazards to the

population of Davanagere District, Karnataka State India. Mohamed Hidayath,

Chandrashekara M.S., Vipin Kumar P.

61

O47 Impact of the leakage and back diffusion rates on measurement of radon exhalation

from commonly used building materials. Vandana Devi, R.P.Chauhan

62

O48 Effect of soil’s porosity and moisture content on radon and thoron exhalation rates.

Aibanjop Pyngrope, Atul Saxena, Bijay Kumar Sahoo

62

O49 Estimation of attached and unattached fraction and deposition based progeny

sensors using wiremesh DTPS/DRPS. Amit Kumar Singla, Sandeep Kansal, Supriya

Rani, Rohit Mehra

63

O50 Quantification of naturally occurring radionuclides and their relation with soil gas

radon concentration .Veena Joshi , Sanjay Dutt, Rohit Sajwan , Mukesh Prasad,

R.C.Ramola

64

O51 Assessment of 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation and emanation rate from the soils of

Himalayan belt of Uttarakhand, India. Poonam Semwal, Ankur Kumar, Kuldeep

Singh, Manish Joshi, Tarun Kumar Agarwal, R.C.Ramola

64

O52 Assessment of terrestrial gamma radiation exposure in different stress conditions

Ganesh Raturi, Sanjeev Kimothi, Mukesh Prasad, Shubhas Chandra, Asha

Thapliyal, Rakesh Chand Ramola

65

O53 Transfer parameters of 90Sr into the skeleton of farm animals. Baigazinov Zh.A.,

Baigazy S.A., Lukashenko S.N., Kovacs T.

66

O54 Uranium distribution in groundwater of Faridkot district of SW-Punjab and its

remediation using WS2 nanostructures. Satvir Singh, Tanu Sharma, ShivaniSharma,

Sandeep Sharma , InderpreetKaur, B.S. Bajwa

66

O55 Distribution of natural radioactivity levels of soil samples and assessment of

radiation hazards in the Davanagere district, Karnataka in India. Malleshi

Kavasara,Vinutha, P.R., Kaliprasad C.S., Narayana Y.

67

O56 Natural radioactivity levels and associated radiation hazards in soil samples of

Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, India. Srinivasa E., Suresh S., Rangaswamy

D.R., Soundar R., Sannappa J.

68

5

O57 Variation of natural radioactivityin soil and water samples of Garhwal Himalaya

region. Manjulata Yadav, Mukesh Prasad, R.C.Ramola

68

O58 Efficient removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution utilizing L-histidine

capped copper nanoparticles. Jaspreet, Satvir Singh, Inderpreet Kaur.

69

O59 Impact of radiation in origin of life and evolution on earth: A review. Shalini Rawat 70

O60 Toxicological risk assessment of uranium in drinking water of Central Haryana,

India. Vikas Duggal

70

O61 Natural background gamma radiation dose estimation in the surrounding villeges of

Devarakonda Town, Telangana State, India. M.Srinivas Reddy,G.Suman, K.Vinay

Kumar Reddy, M.Sreenath Reddy, Ch.Gopal Reddy, P.Yadagiri Reddy

71

O62 Estimation of radon exhalation rate in soil samples in and around oil field areas of

Tinsukia and Dibrugarh District of Assam. Sonali Dutta, Hiranya Kr. Sarma,

Ranjan Kr. Kakati

71

O63 Dosimetric assessment of primordial radionuclides in groundwater of Sikar District,

Rajasthan. Chanchal Charan , Sarabjot Kaur, Sansar Chand, Rohit Mehra

72

O64 Quantification of outdoor gamma radiation level and consequent health hazards

assessment in Panipat district of Haryana.

Naresh Tanwer, Poonam Anand, Neha Batra, Krishan Kant, Y.P. Gautam

73

O65 Analysis of uranium concentrationand associated age-dependent radiation dose in

bottled water from Haryana State, India. Samriti Sharma , Amandeep Singh, Vikas

Duggal, B.S.Bajwa

74

O66 Study of indoor radon thoron and their decay products level in residences of Udham

Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, India. Sanjay Dutt, Veena Joshi, Rohit Singh

Sajwan, Madhu Lata Bharti, R.C.Ramola

74

O67 Effect of meteorological parameters on air pollutants in major cities of Uttarakhand,

India. Amar Deep

75

O68 Identification of water quality status in upper Ganga basin using enviro assessment

techniques. Amit Kumar Sharma, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Ankur Kumar, Vishal

Kamboj

75

O69 Study of uranium toxicity in humans from protracted ingestion of groundwater in

Lower Himalayas. Abhishek, Sarabjot Kaur, Rohit Mehra

76

O70 Luminescence and dosimetric characteristics of microcrystalline SrB4O7:Eu3+

synthesized by solid state diffusion method. Avinash R. Kachere, Prashant M.

Kakade, Sanket Jangale, P.D.Sahare, S.D.Dhole, Nandkumar T. Mandlik

76

O71 Quantification of doses and health risks to organs and tissues corresponding to

different age groups due to radon in water. Amit Sarin, Anjali Kaushal, Bikramjit

Singh Bajwa, Navjeet sharma

77

O72 Radiation dosimetric properties of mango leaf extracts. Bhagat Chand, Mukesh

Kumar

78

O73 Comparative study of radon exhalation rates from bricks with different

Composition. Amit Kumar, Rajat Parkash, R.P.Chauhan

78

O74 Chemotoxicity and radiotoxicity risk assessment from exposure to uranium in

drinking water of Noida, Uttar Pradesh State, India. Narender Chahal, Lalit Kumar

Saini, Amanjeet, Rekha, Ranjeet Dalal, Suneel Kumar, Balvinder Singh, Navish Kataria

79

O75 Impact of attached, unattached fraction of radon, thoron and their daughter element

and its seasonal variability in Doon-valley along the Main Boundary Thrust region.

Tushar Kandari, A.A.Bourai, R.C.Ramola

80

O76 Radon exposure dose assessment using CFD modeling, active and passive

measurement techniques. Neetika Chauhan, Rajat Parkash, R.P.Chauhan

80

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O77 Health hazards and risk assessment from heavy metals in drinking water of Bathinda

and Mansa districts of Punjab (India). Pargin Bangotra, Manish Sharma, Rohit

Mehra, Mukesh Prasad

81

O78 Variation of Radon concentration, gaseous pollutants and the influence of

Meteorological parameters: A Review: Alok Sagar Gautam, Sanjeev Kumar,

Abhishek Joshi, Karan Singh, R.C.Ramola

82

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Keynote Address

Canadian Radon Initiatives and Comparison of Consumer-Grade

Electronic Radon Monitors

Pam Warkentin

Executive Director

Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

Email: [email protected]

Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally occurring in soil and can accumulate to

concentrated levels inside homes and buildings. Exposure to elevated levels of radon leads to

an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

In Canada, we have estimated that 16% of our lung cancers are attributed to radon exposure.

Our geology, climate conditions as well as our housing characteristics result in potential for

our population to be exposed to high levels of radon. Our early research in radon and lung

cancer led to mines recognizing the risk of elevated radon levels for their employees both at

work and home, but in 2007 Health Canada developed a national radon program when they

recognized the risk wasn’t just in mines, but homeowners across the country were also at risk.

The Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) was an important early

initiative of Canada’s national radon program. Pam Warkentin is the Executive Director of the

C-NRPP, she will provide a brief update of current efforts in Canada with respect to radon

awareness, certification of radon professionals, policy changes and progress on testing and

radon reduction. In addition, C-NRPP has conducted research of consumer-grade electronic

radon monitors. The monitors are appealing to homeowners due to the ease of use and the

ability to keep track of radon levels during the process of conducting a radon test. In this study,

C-NRPP compared the performance of the different consumer-grade electronic radon monitors

and determine which factors should be considered when using these monitors to inform

mitigation decisions.

8

INVITED TALKS

9

Protection from radon exposure in workplaces and dwellings: some lessons

from the past and challenges for the future

Francesco Bochicchio

National Center for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics

Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy


Many epidemiological studies, initially carried out in mines only and later on also in dwellings, have

proven that exposure to radon and its decay products increases the risk of lung cancer. On the basis

of these studies, radon exposure has been classified as a group-1 carcinogen by WHO-IARC and

protection from radon exposure has been introduced in international and national recommendations

and regulations. In particular, the most recent International and European Basic Safety Standards has

established requirements for protection from radon in both workplaces and dwellings. Moreover,

national radon action plans have been developed and implemented in more and more countries.

Several lessons have been learned from these experiences, including those from Italy, but several

challenges have still to be afforded in order to significantly reduce the health burden, i.e. the number

of lung cancer attributable each year to radon, which is about 5%–15% in many countries. Some of

the lessons and challenges will be presented here.

10

ICRP Radon Dose Conversion Factors in Relation to Radon Control

Strategies

James McLaughlin

President, European Radon Association

School of Physics, University College Dublin, Ireland


Over recent decades the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has

published a number of reports giving guidelines and recommendations which have assisted

radiation regulatory authorities to develop strategies to reduce or control the lung cancer risk

arising from exposure to radon and its progeny. In a number of these publications the derived

effective doses per unit exposure or dose conversion factors (DCFs) both in occupational and

residential exposure settings are given. For a number of reasons these published DCFs have

changed over the years. For example in going from ICRP 65 (1993) to ICRP 115 (2010) the

relevant dose coefficients for both workers and members of the public have more than doubled.

For workers the derived dose coefficient increased from 5 to 12 mSv /WLM while for public

exposure it has increased from 4 to 9 mSv/WLM. More recently in ICRP 137 (2017) even

higher values of DCFs are recommended as being applicable for some exposure scenarios.

These changes have proved to be difficult for regulatory agencies to adopt and also have given

rise to confusion regarding radon risk in the minds of some stakeholders. In this presentation

an overview of the evolution of these DCFs changes and in particular their relevance to

strategies to reduce radon exposures of the public is given.

11

Gamma Radioactivity Induced in the “Cyclotron Environment” on the

Example of the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB) at the Institute of

Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland

Krzysztof Kozak*, Szymon Guguła#, Dominik Grządziel

*Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Krakow, Poland #Former PhD student at Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, 31-342 Krakow, Poland

*Email: [email protected]

Apart from natural radioactivity, it can be induced in different components of the environment,

especially in workplaces. At the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (a part of the Institute of Nuclear

Physics PAN) gamma spectrometry measurements (using portable HPGe spectrometer) were

carried out to find the induced radioactivity, which is the effect of routine work of Proteus C-

235 cyclotron.

The results of measurements made of the chosen elements of Beam Management System and

components used to provide therapy will be presented. Gamma dose rate measurements in the

chosen spots inside and outside of the CCB building were performed as well. Based on the

obtained results, it was found that elements that have direct contact with the proton beam during

the operation of the cyclotron are the ones that contain the most of artificially produced

radioactive isotopes. The element with the highest content of induced radioisotopes and

basically the only one that exhibited increased level of radioactivity in the gantry room was

range shifter. It was observed that short-lived carbon isotope C-11 had the biggest contribution

in its total activity during the first period after its use in the treatment device. It was proven by

conducting series of activation measurements in the cyclotron hall, which showed presence of

many different isotopes produced in copper, steel, aluminum, and concrete samples that were

exposed to secondary neutrons in the accelerator hall beforehand. Activity values of these

isotopes were determined as well.

Short-lived isotopes contribute the most to their initial activity measured immediately after

their irradiation. Over time, relatively long-lived isotopes start to dominate and they can

accumulate in some materials for even dozens of years, thus, they can become of concern with

regard to radiological protection in the long term.

Based on the analysis of the results obtained in the measurements it was found that the

phenomenon of inducing radioactivity is a process that is present at CCB-IFJ PAN and is

significant with regard to radiological protection provided at CCB.

12

Advances in Radon Research and National Radon Action Plan in

Cameroon

Saidou

Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology

Institute of Geological and Mining Research, P.O. Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon


Indoor radon measurements started in Cameroon since 2012 by measuring 222Rn using the

Electret Ionization chambers (EIC) in about 500 dwellings of some ore bearing areas, followed

by the discriminative measurements of 222Rn and 220Rn in 450 dwellings using RADUET

detectors in some mining and ore bearing areas of Cameroon. The collected data helped to

build a Technical Cooperation Project with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

on establishing a national radon plan for controlling public exposure due to radon indoors. A

total of 1500 RADTRAK detectors to measure 222Rn were deployed in the whole country,

collected and analyzed. The results of indoor radon measurements and inhalation dose

assessment showed the importance to put in place radon regulation and national radon action

plan. Radon regulation was drafted and the national radon action plan adopted in October 2020.

The priority tasks for 2022-2025 are radon-risk mapping, radon mitigation, radon-risk

communication and the integration of radon issue in the training of building professionals. 222Rn, 220Rn and 220Rn progeny measurements confirmed the importance to consider 220Rn in

dose assessment to avoid biased results in epidemiological study. At the international scale,

reference levels should be defined for 220Rn as done for 222Rn some decades ago. Effective dose

due to 220Rn determined from the equilibrium factor is unreliable. Therefore, the risk of public

exposure due to 220Rn and its progeny may therefore be higher than that of 222Rn and its progeny

in many parts of the world if the equilibrium factor of 220Rn is no longer used in estimating

total effective dose. It is therefore important to directly measure 222Rn and 220Rn progenies for

a correct estimate of effective dose.

Uncertainty assessment in biokinetic and dosimetric models of α, β, αγ, βγ -emitters for

ingestion and inhalation dose coefficients was carried out followed by the determination of the

inhalation dose coefficients of 219Rn progeny, stemming from the disintegration of 223Ra used

in nuclear medicine to treat bone metastasis due to prostate cancer.

13

From Data to Decisions - Challenges in Implementing Quality-Assured

Radon Mitigation Policy

Peter Bossew

German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

Berlin, Germany


Exposure to indoor radon (Rn) is rated among the foremost causes of lung cancer. Being a

health risk, regulation is imposed aiming to reduce it. Regulation implies action, laid down in

Rn Action Plans, on which Rn reduction policy is based. Policy means deciding about action

to be taken.

The objective is reduction of the harm inflicted by exposure to Rn, i.e. reducing the number of

Rn caused lung cancer cases. In practice, regulation in the form of legislation, i.e. laws and

ordinances, tends to formulate derived objectives, which shall serve the overall objective, such

as, identification of areas where Rn risk or hazard (potential risk) exceed a level and implement

action there.

Decisions must be reliable, hence data must be reliable as must be methods to evaluate data,

since their uncertainty propagates into the one of decisions. One can distinguish several QA

levels, forming a “QA chain” from data to decisions.

1. Design QA: Capability of an effort (experiment, survey) to enable a decision;

2. Data QA: classical metrology;

3. Evaluation QA: proper methodology, adequate models, uncertainty budgeting;

4. Decision QA: Assessment of the chance of wrong decision, given data and methods.

Among challenges in implementing QA are,

• Uncertainty budget of data, especially components related to survey design, semantic

uncertainty, spatial and temporal variability and presence of extremes.

• Understanding decisions as functions of variables that predict hazard or risk.

Multivariate estimation is a methodical challenge.

• Measuring the reliability of decisions, validating the efficiency of action based on

decisions

QA matters have become an important topic in Europe in Rn mitigation policy, required by the

European Basic Safety Standards which have to be transposed into national law. Since Rn

policy can be expensive and politically sensitive, reliability of decisions and their QA became

a focus of research.

14

Radiological and Geochemical Characterization of Beach Placer Deposits

in a Natural High Background Radiation Area of India

Sarata Kumar Sahoo*, Nimelan Veerasamy

Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, Department of Radioecology and Fukushima

Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology (QST)

4-9-1 Anagawa Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan


The radionuclides 238U, 232Th and their decay products enhances natural background

radioactivity in environment. The Chhatrapur-Gopalpur beach placer deposit is found as a

natural high background radiation area of southeastern coast of Odisha, India. The beach placer

deposits are formed due to the sediments produced by weathering and/or erosion of igneous

and metamorphic rocks which transported and deposited by rivers systems to the coastal areas.

During this process, it accumulates economically important heavy minerals such as monazite,

ilmenite, zircon, rutile, garnet, and sillimanite. Among these minerals, monazite [(Ce, La, Nd,

Th) PO4] is one of the important radioactive minerals with high Th and a storehouse of LREEs.

Monazite in the beach placer sand and soil is the potential environmental hazard for the natural

radiation. Therefore, it is necessary to

monitor behavior of radionuclides

and other trace elements in the

HBRAs to increase public awareness

related to radiation protection. The

geochemical as well as radiological

investigations have been carried out

in the Chhatrapur-Gopalpur beach

placer deposits (Fig. 1). The

distribution of absorbed dose rate

was in range from 30-5000 nGy h-1.

The activity concentration of U and

Th varied in range of 7-1352 Bq/kg

and 31-4797 Bq/kg, respectively.

Geochemical studies of bulk sand

and soil revealed dominant

contributor of enhanced radiation is Th (around 85%). REE geochemistry of bulk sand and soil

suggests the source of monazite could be derived from charnockite, khondalite and migmatite

of Eastern Ghats rocks. Other geochemical and ecological characteristic will be discussed in

presentation.

15

Natural Radioactivity Measurements in High Background Areas (HBRA’s)

in Parts of India: Reliable Detection, Remediation and Awareness

Samikshya Mohanty, Debashish Sengupta*

Department of Geology and Geophysics, IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India


Natural radioactivity in the ambient environment originates from primordial radionuclides like 238U, 232Th, 40K, 87Rb etc. which were incorporated into the Earth’s crust, at the time of its

formation. A large number of radionuclides are still present in the earth’s crust because of their

long half-lives. Natural High Background Radiation Areas (HBRA’s) in India, exist in many

states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Beach placers which comprises

of several radioactive minerals like monazite, zircon, ilmenite etc. to name a few, ultimately

enhance the radioactivity levels due to the presence of Th, U, and other radionuclides within

their lattice structure. The presence of thorium is greater than uranium, specifically along the

Eastern coast of India where Th/U is nine times greater than the normalized values used for

bulk earth. The Singhbhum Shear Zone, is an area with high uranium mineralization and a

number of subsurface uranium mines like Narwapahar, Bhatin and Turamdih etc. are

operational in this region which could enhance the ambient radioactivity, if proper measures

are not undertaken. In addition the discovery of a major uranium reserves at Tummalapalle,

Kadapa region, Andhra Pradesh by the Department of Atomic Energy, entails major studies to

be undertaken, for a sustainable utilization of the uranium ore for meeting the indigenous

Energy demand of our Country with a ‘Low carbon footprint’. It is becoming increasingly

important to utilize our natural resources without any undue damage to the ‘natural system’ by

enhancing the ambient radiation mostly due to Technological Innovation and its Applications

viz. the Technologically Enhanced Natural Radiation (TENR). Unsustainable exploitation is

highly detrimental not only to the immediate environment but also to the ecological balance in

the region. Radiometric Field surveys coupled to Lab based studies and subsequent statistical

modelling should result in a robust interpretation of the data obtained specifically for such High

Background areas with suitable ground-truthing and lithological controls. Near Surface

Integrated Geophysical methods along with thermal imagery of the area under study, would be

extremely useful in this regard. Subsequent to such results been obtained after exploration of

radioactive minerals/ores, suitable methodology should be adopted during the other stages like

Production, Extraction and Remediation. This should be treated as the ultimate goal for a

sustainable environment.

16

Japanese Bathing Treatment with Radiation Hot Springs

Kenji SUGIMORI1*, Katsumi SHOZUGAWA2, Mayumi HORI3

1Toho University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan 2Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan

3Komaba Organization for Educational Excellence College of Art and Sciences

The University of Tokyo, Japan


Most of the Japanese people love bathing in hot springs in their life, especially for tourism and

relaxation. From ancient time, before modern medicine, Japanese bathing was an important

factor for a medical treatment as part of the traditional culture of Japan. In recent years, health

consciousness has increased, and hot springs are again being used to maintain health and

presymptomatic body conditions. And now, any hot spring used for medical treatment is called

a medical hot spring as defined by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan.

Reports focusing on radioactive hot springs as a category of medical hot springs have showed

some medical benefits. Radon therapy in Bad Gastein Heilstollen (Austria) and Boulder

(Montana, USA) tunnels showed some beneficial medical effects for inhalation therapy, pain

relief and other treatment. In Japan, five typical radioactive spring areas can be found in

Tamagawa (Akita Pref.), Murasugi (Niigata Pref.), Masutomi (Yamanashi Pref.), Misasa

(Tottori Pref.), and Sekigane (Tottori Pref.). Among these, Misasa Hot Spring showed some

efficacy in thr treatment of osteoarthritis and bronchial asthma. Radon was taken into the blood

circulation through the respiratory tract, which had a beneficial effects inside the body,

including the production of active oxygen. Medical research in the Misasa Hot Spring area has

also yielded interesting results from data such as radiation hormesis effects and low cancer

incidence. In this paper, we will introduce the medical use of hot springs and radioactive

springs in Japan.

17

A Unique High Natural Background Radiation Area in Indonesia

Masahiro Hosoda*, Eka Djatnika Nugraha, Yuki Tamakuma, Chutima Kranrod,

Naofumi Akata, Shinji Tokonami

Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences

Department of Radiation Science

66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan

*E-mail: [email protected]

In 2014, the National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) reported on the high-

level dose rate due to terrestrial radiation in Mamuju, West Sulawesi. In 2015, we started

collaborating with BATAN on environmental radiation and radioactivity measurements at

Mamuju. For a preliminary study, we carried out a car-borne survey in Mamuju and its

surrounding area using a 3-in × 3-in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer based on the protocol

of our previous report. According to the dose rate map, indoor and outdoor radon

concentrations, radon concentrations in drinking water and terrestrial radiation were measured

at Botteng Village in Mamuju to estimate the internal and external doses for residents of the

study area. Then, we carried out a cross-sectional study at whole high natural background

radiation areas and their surrounding areas by measuring all parameters that contribute to

external and internal radiation exposures caused by radionuclides. The study was conducted

for one year and involved 408 households for a total 1,987 persons. It was revealed that

Mamuju was a unique HNBRA with aspects of high internal and external exposures due to the

natural contents of uranium, thorium and their progeny. Furthermore, we evaluated the vertical

distribution of atmospheric radon concentrations for discussion of the enhancement mechanism

of radon. We will continue the investigation in Mamauju for understanding the human effect

due to the low-dose chronic radiation exposure. This work was partially supported by the Japan

Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant Nos. JP16H02667,

JP18KK0261 and JP18K10023, and Hirosaki University Institutional Research Grant.

18

Radon Time-Series Data for Earthquake Precursory Studies in Taiwan: An

Overview

Vivek Walia*, Arvind Kumar

National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, NARL, Taipei, Taiwan

*Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Earthquakes constitute a severe source of human disasters all around the world. However, one

has to note, following the reviews on earthquake prediction, that at the present day no

detectable, systematic, and reliable precursory phenomena precede large earthquakes. Indeed,

even if some precursory phenomena have been identified related to many earthquakes, there

are no statistically based reliable data for the recognition of a method based on the search for

precursors. Radon anomalies in soil gas and groundwater are commonly observed prior to the

impending earthquake and volcanic eruptions, attracting considerable attention in studies on

precursory geochemical signals. Radon variations of soil-gas composition in the vicinity of

geologic fault zone of Northeastern and Southwestern parts of Taiwan have been studied in

detail recently. To carry out the investigation, temporal soil-gases variations are measured at

continuous earthquake monitoring stations established along different faults. The data is

processed using different kinds of filters to filter out the high-frequency noise and daily

variation caused by different parameters. However, radon anomalies in all cases are not only

controlled by seismic activity but also by meteorological parameters which make isolation of

earthquake precursory signals complicated. Digital filter has been applied in eliminating the

long-term trend in the data and retains variations of less than 30 days. To integrate our data

with our working procedure, we use the popular and famous open source web application

solution which helps us manage the real-time database. The anomalous signatures from

particular monitoring stations help us to identify the area for impending earthquakes based on

the proposed tectonic based model for earthquake forecasting in Taiwan.

19

Application of Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors for Seismic and

Volcanic/Mud Volcanic Study in Taiwan

Arvind Kumar*, Vivek Walia

National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering

National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan

*E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected]

Tectonically Taiwan is extremely dynamic and comprehensibly faulted. As a result of this a

number of earthquakes happened in the region. Numbers of faults are distributed over the

mountains as well as in the plain areas. In the northern part of Taiwan Island, a group of

volcanoes are distributed in the area bounded by Chinshan, Shanchiao and Kanchiao faults.

The offshore area of SW Taiwan belongs to an accretionary wedge setting that is caused by the

south-eastward subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. Many

submarine mud volcanoes, gas seeps and mud diapirs have been reported. Measurement of

radon-thoron in soil gas is recognized as a technique for uranium prospecting, observations in

earthquake-prone areas and volcanic activity as well as for tracing neotectonic faults. In the

last twenty years, new instruments and methods (active and passive) were developed to

measure radon-thoron by using grab, integrating and continuous modes of sampling. Although

the active detectors are more accurate and precise than passive detector but are cost prohibitive

and cannot be installed near the volcanic areas because of the high probability of contamination

due to high temperature and presence of high Sulphur content. Solid state nuclear track

detectors (SSNTDs) are cheap and can be installed near the volcanic areas. Because of their

low cost we can also establish number of long term radon monitoring stations in a particular

area under observation which may not possible by other techniques.

In the present study solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) technique has been used for

the measurement of radon concentrations in soil gas for selecting a suitable site for continuous

radon monitoring station and for volcanic/mud volcanic as well as seismic studies in Taiwan.

The semiautomatic track count using a Nikon digital camera coupled to a PC and employing

software “SCION” has been checked and tested by comparing the results with manual

counting. The results of radon monitoring using SSNTDs for seismic and volcanic/mud

volcanic studies in Taiwan will be discuss in detail.

KEYWORDS: Active Fault, Earthquake, Volcano, Solid state nuclear track detectors, and

Taiwan

20

Ion Beam Induced Tailoring in Nanostructures

R.P. Chauhan

Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology

Kurukshetra, Haryana-136119, India


In recent past, continuing miniaturization of circuits in electronic industry led to rising

attraction for nanoscale materials. Semiconducting materials are extensively being used

for many applications like catalytic, electronic, photonic, solar cell applications etc. They

have been explored widely in view of their unique and interesting characteristics with

promising applications various fields. To understand these applications, the control and

the authority of various key parameters like size, composition, crystal structure and

morphology are basic to the accomplishment of the functional nanoscale devices in light

of the fact that these parameters consequently affect the optical and electrical properties

of the devices. Ion irradiation and implantation have now become an entrenched tool for

modifying properties of materials. The root of the radiation effect on nanomaterials is in

the initial event where an energetic projectile hit a target material. Although this single

event constitutes several processes, the elementary outcome would be ionization and

displacements of atoms from their lattice sites. The consequential events of radiation

damage are the effects of radiation that may occur over the physical, structural, chemical,

optical, and electrical or any other property of the material. Matter interaction lies at the

core of all trial work and utilizations of atomic physical science, modification of materials,

analysis, radiation treatment, and so on the impact of radiation depend incredibly on the

energy, intensity and the radiation type and in addition on the nature of the retaining

material. Present work emphasizes on the study of radiation induced modifications in the

properties of the semiconducting nanowires and thin films.The nanowires are synthesized

with template method. Electro-deposition was done with SP-240 Biologic Potentiostat.

The films were deposited on transparent indium–tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass slides using

differenttechniques. The techniques of inducing radiation discussed in the study include

ion implantation at intermediate energies, ion irradiation at very high energies, and gamma

irradiation. Optical and electrical properties were seen to modify with the exposure of

radiation. The semiconducting thin films were also being used for gas-sensing

applications.

21

Bio and Environmental Monitoring under the Shadow of COVID-19

T. Kovacs

Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia

Veszprém, Hungary


The increase in computing capacity made available the development of new, better modelling

software using Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches, capable of more accurate predictions.

Current dose estimation models for estimating the dose from nuclear accidents require

knowledge of transfer factors and concentration ratios to correctly assess the uptake pathways

for internal dose estimation. The data available from previous literature is fraught with high

uncertainty, the last 40—50 years made major changes in lifestyle, occupations, and farming

methods as well, including changes in the bulk of feed in animal husbandry. Furthermore, the

literature doesn’t cover all climates, all diets and all radionuclides with the same depth. The re-

evaluation of the decades old transfer factors is necessary for improving the accuracy of dose

estimation.

COVID-19 greatly influenced such research, however the web of research connections

established with domestic and international research partners made it possible to continue

fruitful cooperation.

Due to our connections we were able to conduct research in multiple different areas, covering

environmental parameters and different plants and animals. Fukushima, Japan and the

Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan offer unique opportunities to study the migration of

artificial radionuclides. Domestic partners such as SOTE and ELTE offer access to special

equipment and expertise allowing multidisciplinary avenues of research. International

cooperation with Japan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Vietnam combined with domestic cooperation

and our own work covers multiple climates, in various vegetables, including species wouldn’t

be considered to be consumed in significant amounts in Europe, but are consumed in large

amounts in Asia, fish, livestock, including horses and chicken, saprophytes like earthworms

and snails as well as active and passive biomonitoring with plants such as tobacco, moss and

acacia.

22

Radon as Tracer in Altamira Cave: Last Results

Luis Quindos

Radon Group, University of Cantabria

Santander, 39011 Cantabria, Spain


Due to its noble gas character, radon is an element that, although at the present time has an

important role in the evaluation of the dose received by the population and its impact on health,

it is widely used as a tracer and thus show the high number of publications in which it appears

in research related to the study of the dynamics of the atmosphere, the pollution of aquifers and

soils and the prediction of earthquakes. In this presentation we use radon as a parameter to

evaluate the natural ventilation of caves, focusing on the latest results obtained in the Altamira

Cave, Cantabria, Spain. In addition, aspects related to the evolution of CO2 concentration,

temperature and dose to workers, the three variables related to radon are analyzed.

23

Determination of the Thoron Emanation Coefficient and Testing the

Influence of Various Factors on its Value

Jadwiga Mazur*, Krzysztof Kozak, Karolina Danyłec#

Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Krakow, Poland #Former PhD student at Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, 31-342 Krakow, Poland


There are many measurement techniques to determine the radon (Rn-222), emanation

coefficient but only a few to determine the thoron (Rn-220) emanation coefficient. At the

Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN (Kraków, Poland) the method for determination of thoron

emanation coefficient has been developed. It is based on the so-called "powder sandwich".

The applied measuring technique with forced air flow through a thin sample allowed to register

most of the thoron atoms released in the emanation process into intergranular space. The

measuring technique allowed determining the thoron emanation coefficient from various

materials. To check the universality of the measurement technique used and to compare the

results three different devices were used: AlphaGUARD DF2000 (Bertin Technologies SAS,

France), EQF3220 (SARAD GmbH, Germany) and RAD7 (DURRIDGE Company, Inc.,

USA). Thoron emanation coefficient for various materials was determined.

The dependence of the thoron emanation coefficient on sample moisture and grain size was

also investigated. The results of testing the dependence of this coefficient on various sample

parameters will be presented.

24

Evaluation of In-House Treatment Methods Prior to Etching CR-39 Chips

Exposed to Alpha Particles

M. Janik1,*, P. Bossew2, T. Kovacs3, Md M. Hasan1,4, N. Kavasi1

1QST, Japan 2BfS, Germany

3University of Pannonia, Hungary 4Tokyo University, Japan


Detectors based on solid state nuclear track detector chips, especially CR-39, are widely used

in radon and thoron studies. They are usually in-situ exposed over a long period of time, from

several days to several months where they may be subjected to the influence of external factors,

like changing of temperature, humidity and pressure.

On the other hand, before experiments, detectors are sometimes stored for a long period of time

and also exposure can last up to years. During this time, they are subject to changing

environmental conditions which may have an impact to their performance in measuring radon.

Evaluation of the exposed detectors involves chemical processing, whose conditions also

influence the result.

The aim of this study was to check several factors, whether they may modify the response of

CR-39 detector: concerning the phase before evaluation, storage time and temperature during

storage; concerning the evaluation procedure, etching time and pre-etching treatment using hot

water and carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Three experiments were conducted by irradiation of CR-39 chips using alpha particles emitted

from mono-energetic 241Am source and exposed in thoron atmosphere.

Track density dependence of the age of production was found to be statistically not significant.

On the other hand, pre-etching treatment using hot water and carbon dioxide with different

etching time showed statistically significant relationship between track size, sensitivity and

roundness.

25

Advances in Radon-Thoron Gas Monitoring System and Potential

Applications

B.K. Sahoo. J.J. Gaware and B.K. Sapra

Radiological Physics and Advisory Division

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085


Following the results of epidemiological studies in European and North American populations,

WHO and IAEA have brought in more stringent guidelines on radon in dwellings. This has

given rise to the need to develop data on indoor radon distributions to assess the natural

background radiation doses to the general public and to delineate radon prone areas within the

country. These coupled with increasing activity of uranium and thorium based nuclear power

programme have brought the need for developing state of art radon/thoron monitoring

instrumentation and technique. This paper discusses some of the development being carried

out in BARC. These developments can broadly divide into two categories (i) fully automatic

real time radon/thoron gas monitoring and (ii) time integrated radon and thoron monitoring.

The former is useful for network based monitoring in workplaces, monitoring of radon/thoron

gas concentration in soil, water and indoor air of public domain environment while the latter is

useful for dosimetry in general population and occupational workers. The talk will cover basic

detection process of radon-thoron gases, active and passive system, advantages and limitations

of each system and their potential applications to environment and nuclear industry.

26

Opportunities for Collaborative Research in Radiation Physics at

Mangalore University

N. Karunakara

Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity, Mangalore University

Mangalagangothri –574199, Mangalore, India


Mangalore University has two national facilities (i) The Centre for Advanced Research in

Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), and (ii) Centre for Application of Radiation and

Radioisotopes Technology (CARRT) established through financial support from the Board of

Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India, and

technical support from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). These centres are

engaged in frontline research on radioecology and environmental radioactivity, radiation

protection, and radiation biology in collaboration with BRNS, BARC, Indira Gandhi Centre

for Atomic Research (IGCAR) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), and many

international laboratories. The mandates of these centre sare:

To conduct advanced research studies in environmental radioactivity, radiation

protection, and radiation biology,

To collaborate with other institutions and evolve regional coordinated research

projects on radioecology and radiation protection, and ensure generation of quality

data from all project partners,

To extend advanced facilities to researchers from other institutions of India, and

To generate trained human resources in radiation protection through frequent training

programmes and vacation courses.

The centre has state-of-the-art facilities:

Liquid scintillation spectrometry,

Carbon-14 and Tritium laboratory,

Alpha spectrometry laboratory,

Gamma spectrometry laboratory,

Radon laboratory,

Sample processing laboratory and laboratory, and

Laboratory for simulation studies on deposition velocity, deposition rate, and mass

interception factors of radionuclides /stable elements.

Gamma chamber

Blood irradiator, etc.

This talk aims to disseminate information on the facilities available, research activities

undertaken, and opportunities for collaborative research so that researchers from other

institutes may derive benefit.

27

Mathematical Models on Radon and Thoron Behavior in the Indoor

Environment: A Review

P. Yadagiri Reddy1, K. Vinay Kumar Reddy2, M. Sreenath Reddy1

Ch. Gopal Reddy1

1Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad -500 007 2Department of Physics, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad -500 075


Radon has been recognized as one of the main radioactive carcinogens as it contributes largest

share to the total radiation dose received, by the human population, due to natural background

radiation. Positive correlation between the cumulative exposure to radon and occurrence of

lung cancer establishes the fact that the indoor radon is the prominent cause for lung cancer

among the non-smokers. Understanding the sources and behavior of radon in the indoor

environment helps in suggesting the mitigation techniques. Indoor radon concentration and

the influence of parameters governing it is well studied, both experimentally and theoretically.

The present paper reviews the mathematical models proposed to estimate the radon

concentration. Radon entry, accumulation, removal in indoor environment and factors

influencing them are discussed using mass balance equation.

Thoron, an isotope of radon, is neglected in the beginning citing less abundance and shorter

half-life as reasons. However, the thoron measurements in the areas with high thorium content

proved that the thoron can not be ignored in estimating the inhalation dose. The mathematical

modeling of indoor thoron is less investigated. The existing mathematical models on thoron

behavior in the indoor environment are also reviewed.

Key words: Radon; thoron; indoor environment; mathematical model.

28

Protocols and Applications of Direct Radon and Thoron Progeny

Rosaline Mishra

Radiological Physics and Advisory Division

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai – 400 085


Development of Direct Radon and Thoron Progeny Sensors (DRPS and DTPS) have solved

the long-standing requirement of a direct progeny sensing technique for inhalation dose

assessment. DRPS and DTPS are absorber mounted LR-115 type SSNTDs, to detect the Radon

and Thoron progeny activity concentration, and hence the inhalation dose. These are passive

sensors that can be used for large scale measurements in indoor environments. Further, these

can be operated in three different modes, a) Bare mode, b) wire-mesh capped mode, c) Flow

mode. Hence the protocols that has to be followed for the preparation, deployment, background

correction, retrieval and analysis of the results will be discussed in detail. The behavior of

Radon and Thoron progeny in indoor and occupational environment, their deposition on

surfaces and in the respiratory tract, and their contribution to inhalation doses will be

elaborated. In addition, the unattached fraction, particle diameter also can be measured directly

using these deposition sensors. The paper gives an insight into the technique, the process of

development, dependence on different environmental parameters, intercomparion with other

available techniques, advantages over other techniques, additional parameters that can be

measured, precautions that has to be taken etc.

29

Prevention Aspects of Health Hazard due to X-ray Radiation for the

Health Workers, Patients and to General Public in Mizoram

Jonathan Lalrinmawia1, Kham Suan Pau and Ramesh Chandra Tiwari1,*

Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram 796004, India

Mizoram State Cancer Institute, Zemabawk, Aizawl, Mizoram 796017, India

*Emaiul: [email protected]

Present study is first of its kind for Mizoram, which addresses the aspects of prevention against

radiation health hazard to the workers, patients and general public. Many unique and important

benefits to human life are realized through the utilization of radiation and its various sources.

In the present times, diagnostic radiology facilities are widely available across India as well as

the present study area, Mizoram. More than 50% of conventional diagnostic X-ray equipment

is installed during the past five years. Large number of people undergoes diagnostic X-ray

procedures every year. Knowledge of the image quality as well as dose level and the reasons

behind poor quality and higher doses provides a basis for setting corrective actions to optimize

the protection of the patient in an effective manner. Based on our study and analysis, we have

recommended strategies for effective implementation of the quality assurance programs.

30

Uranium Biokinetics in Human Adult from Protracted Ingestion of

Groundwater

Rohit Mehra

Environment Monitoring and Assessment Laboratory, Department of Physics,

Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India-144011

E-mail: [email protected]

Uranium contamination is a global health concern. Contrary to the general public notion, the

chemotoxicity of uranium as a heavy metal and not radiotoxicity is suggested to be a primary

risk of its environmental exposure. The past few decades have seen substantial experimental

and modeling studies addressing the biokinetics of uranium in mammals. Biokinetic models

are sophisticated mathematical tools to assess retention of radio elements and resulting

tissue/organ doses, considering factors such as fractional absorption of the material via the

route of entry, uptake and residence time in various tissues and organs, chemical and physical

factors such as solubility and particle size distribution and clearance kinetics from the body.

Hair compartment model proposed by Li et al. (2009) supersedes ICRP's biokinetic model

(1995) as it incorporates hair as one of the excretion pathways in addition to urine and faeces.

It is employed for prospective and retrospective assessment of U retention and the calculation

of tissue and organ doses following chronic intake for 60 years via drinking water pathway.

Hair growth rate is normalized at 0.1g d-1 and alimentary tract factor as 0.6%. Groundwater

samples collected from granite-rich Bhiwani district of Haryana are analyzed for natural

uranium content using LED fluorimeter. In this region, U concentration varies from 11.55 to

423.33µg L-1 with an average of 119.79 µg L-1, exceeding the prescribed limit of 30 µg L-1 by

WHO, 2011 and 60 µg L-1 by Atomic Regulatory Board, India. Cortical bone volume and soft

tissue form the stable U repository in the human body. Bone surface (38%), kidneys (14%),

LLI (11%), ULI (5%) and liver (5%) are the major dose recipients. The annual effective dose

to the whole body due to U ingestion via drinking water ranges from 1.92µSv to 70.32µSv with

an average of 19.90µSv which is below the threshold of 100µSv (WHO, 2011). The mean

uranium excreted from the body per day via faeces, urine and hair are 166.71µg, 0.35µg and

0.64µg, respectively.

31

Figure: Hair compartment model of uranium

Health Effects of Nuclear Radiation Exposure

B.S. Bajwa

Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 143005


Radiation is emission and propagation of energy through space, mainly broadly divided

into two types EM and Particle radiations. ICRU recommended them as indirectly and

directly ionizing radiations. Main sources of the ionizing radiations are extra-terrestrial and

terrestrial radiations and 82% comes from natural sources. In this presentation along with

various sources & types of radiations, units of radiations like Exposure (X), Absorbed Dose

(Gy) & Equivalent Dose (Sv), their various health effects and the dose limits given by WHO

and ICRP will also be discussed.

32

CONTRIBUTED PAPERS

33

O01

A New Look at Radiation Dose due to Thoron Gas in Indian Dwellings

S.D. Kanse1, 2, B.K. Sahoo1, J.J. Gaware1, B.K. Sapra1, 2

1Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Mumbai, 400094, India

2Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India

The research into 220Rn (thoron) has generated an increasing interest in recent times due to the

realisation of its radiological importance in many indoor environments. It is generally assumed

that the contribution of 220Rn, per se, to the inhalation dose is negligible in comparison with

that of its decay products because of the very low concentration of thoron in dwelling

environments. However, this assumption needs a greater scrutiny in light of the recent studies

published for thoron measurements in houses. A model based approach has been applied to

study the thoron gas behaviour in typical Indian dwellings. Thoron emission from surfaces of

the rooms is the source of indoor thoron. The thoron concentration profile was estimated using

diffusive transport model and different turbulent diffusion lengths. The spatial variability in

the radiological dose due to thoron and 216Po due to resultant concentration profile was

estimated. Typical doses that may arise in the dwellings were estimated using thoron flux

measured in dwellings of two different regions of India. The decay product concentrations are

also estimated. The relative contribution of thoron gas and 216Po, which is in instant equilibrium

with thoron, to overall thoron dose in comparison to decay product dose was discussed using

results for these calculations. The study shows that the dose due to thoron gas in dwellings is

not completely negligible as per conventional assumption.

O02

Characteristics of indoor Radon and Thoron Equilibrium Factors in

Uttarakhand dwellings

Mukesh Prasad1, Peter Bossew2, R. C. Ramola1

1Department of Physics, HNB Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal-249 199, India

2German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Berlin, Germany

Humans receive a significant portion (˃ 50%) of the total dose attributed to all natural sources

of radiation from indoor 222Rn, 220Rn and their progeny. While progeny contribute the

overwhelming part to dose, in most surveys only radon gas is measured because of the

simplicity of measurement. Progeny concentration is usually estimated by multiplying gas

concentration with an assumed factor, called equilibrium factor and taken from literature.

34

Recently, results of the measurements of equilibrium factors for radon and thoron were

reported from various parts of the globe. In India, a number of such studies have been reported

during the last decade. The studies show a wide variation of equilibrium factors which suggests

that they depend on environmental factors and measurement conditions. Therefore, they should

be determined site specifically, if accurate site specific dose estimation is targeted. In this

paper, we summarize concepts, definitions and methods to determine equilibrium factors and

review literature about reported equilibrium factors worldwide, with particular focus on data

reported from India.

O03

Assessment of Indoor Radon Activity Concentration Levels in Four

Northern Districts of Telangana State, India

G. Srinivas Reddy, K. Vinay Kumar Reddy, B. Sreenivasa Reddy, B. Linga

Reddy, M. Sreenath Reddy, Ch. Gopal Reddy, P. Yadagiri Reddy

Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology,

Osmania University, Hyderabad

The studies on indoor radon activity concentrations were carried out in four districts viz.,

Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jagtial and Rajanna Sircilla of Telangana state, India. Part of study

area falls under Karimnagar Granulite Terrain (KGT), the geological region recognized for the

occurrence of high uranium content metasedimentary enclaves within granite. The radon

concentrations, in the study area, were found to vary from 7 Bq.m-3 to 457 Bq.m-3 with a

geometric mean of 62 Bq.m-3 (GSD 2.24). The radon activity levels were identified to obey

log-normal distribution. The analysis of seasonal variation confirmed that the indoor radon

concentration levels are relatively higher in the winter. Variation of radon activity levels in

dwellings with different types of building materials was also studied and presented in this

paper.

O04

Estimation of Indoor Radon, Thoron and their Progeny Concentrations in

Different Types of Dwellings in Kapurthala District of Punjab, India

Manish Kumar1, Navjeet Sharma2

1Department of Physics, DAV University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India 2Department of Physics, DAV College, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

Radon is present, virtually everywhere on the earth, but particularly over land. The major

fraction of the natural background radiation dose (more than 50%) comes from radon (222Rn),

thoron (220Rn) and their decay products. A survey has been performed to estimate seasonal

variation of indoor radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations in different type dwellings

in Kapurthala district of Punjab, India. Single entry pin hole dosimeter with passive detectors

were used for measurement of radon and thoron concentrations while direct radon/thoron

35

progeny sensors were used for progeny concentrations. In the present investigation, the average

values of radon concentration in winter, summer and rainy seasons were found to be 27.4 ±

10.3 Bqm-3, 15.9 ± 8.0 Bqm3, 21.1 ± 8.6 Bqm-3 respectively while corresponding values for

thoron were 43.9 ± 20.6 Bqm-3, 28.1 ± 20.1 Bqm-3 and 34.5 ± 20.4 Bqm-3 respectively.

Similarly, the values of annual inhalation dose has been found to be 0.68 ± 0.23 mSvy-1, 0.42

± 0.18 mSvy-1 and 0.54 ± 0.20 mSvy-1 in winter, summer and rainy season respectively. The

variation of indoor radon, thoron and annual inhalation dose in different types of dwellings has

also been discussed. The results of our survey indicate indoor radon/thoron, their progeny and

inhalation dose are within the safe limits as prescribed by regulatory bodies.

O05

Radon and Thoron Concentrations in Dwellings of Dakshina Kannada

District of Karnataka State, India

Lokesh N., Kamalakar V.D., Y. Narayana

Department of Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri-574199, India

Radon and thoron are naturally occurring radioactive gases. Radon is a member of Uranium

series while thoron is a part of Thorium series. Both radon and thoron are alpha active and

their progenies can easily get attached to the dust particles present in the air. Radon and thoron

can build up in built environs and can deliver considerable radiation dose to the human

population. In dwellings, these radionuclides primarily originate from building materials and

underlying soil or rocks. Excessive exposure to high levels of radon and thoron will result in

adverse health effects. In view of this, studies of indoor radon and thoron levels in dwellings

of Dakshina Kannada district was carried out. The indoor radon was measured using LR-

115(type II) films fixed in pin-hole dosimeter cups following standard procedure. The

measurements were carried out in autumn and the indoor radon concentration was found to

vary from 3.50 to 25.38 Bq m-3 with a mean value of 9.56 Bq kg-3. The indoor thoron

concentration ranged from 0.46 to 12.31 Bq m-3 with a mean value of 2.87 Bq kg-3. The

potential alpha energy concentration was calculated and the values were found to be in the

range of 0.13 to 0.19 mSv y-1 with a mean value of 0.12mSv y-1.

36

O06

Measurement of Indoor 222Rn, 220Rn and Decay Products along with

Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in Some Monuments of Punjab, India

Rupinderjeet Kaur1, Deep Shikha2, Anjali Kaushal3, Ruchie Gupta4, Supreet Pal

Singh1, R P Chauhan5, Vimal Mehta2

1Deptt. of Physics, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002, India 2Deptt. of Physics, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Anandpur Sahib-140118, India

3Deptt. of Physical Sciences, I.K.G. Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-144603, India 4Deptt. of Physics, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh-141411, India

5Deptt. of Physics, NIT, Kurukshetra, India

Radiations emitted from primordial radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K becomes the major

contributor to cumulative background exposure to the world inhabitants. Decay of these

primordial radionuclides leads to harmful gases named Radon (222Rn) and Thoron

(220Rn).These harmful gases reaches us through soil or building materials. Radon freely moves

in particles of building materials and varies in different quantities in different materials from

place to place. Radon is carcinogenic in nature and produce harmful effects on lungs of non-

smokers. Thus, in view of all these health hazard factors, this paper aimed to test radon and

thoron gasses along with radionuclides in the enclosed places. This analysis was carried out

between the various monuments and museums of Punjab. These places are chosen because they

remain enclosed for a long period of time and are major places of interest to visit. In the present

study the amount of 222Rn, 220Rn and decay product alongside the measurement of

concentration of activity and air-absorbed gamma dose levels due to natural radionuclides in

fifteen monuments and museums of Punjab calculated.

O07

Estimation Radon, Thoron and Their Progeny Concentration using Pin

Hole Dosimeter and Their Radiological Hazards

Rangaswamy D.R.1, Srinivasa E.2, Suresh S.3, Sandeep Dongre4, Sannappa J.4

1Department of Physics, PES University, Hosur Road, Electronic city, Bangalore-560100 2Department of Physics, IDSG Government College, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka -577102

3Department of Physics, M.P.E Society’s S.D.M Degree College

Honavar, Uttara Kannada-581334 4Department of Physics, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga, India-577451

This study reports the 222Rn, 220Rn, and their progeny concentration in Shivamogga district by

using LR-115 Type II solid state nuclear track detector based new single entry pin hole

dosimeters and direct radon/thoron progeny sensors (DRPS/DTPS). The annual average indoor 222Rn and 220Rn concentration varies from 8.14 to 146.24 Bq.m-3 and 13.01 to 157.42 Bq.m-3

with an average value of 60.61 and 61.77 Bq.m-3. The EEC for radon and thoron varies from

37

1.55 to 19.54 Bq.m-3 and 0.44 to 5.93 Bq.m-3 with an average value of 7.29 and 2.66 Bq.m-3,

respectively. The observed radon and thoron concentration values in all the studied locations

are well within the reference level of 300 Bq.m-3 recommended by ICRP. The annual average

equilibrium factor for radon is well within the global average values of 0.4, while the thoron

are slightly higher the specified global average values of 0.02. The annual effective dose due

to radon, thoron and their progeny is varying from 0.31 to 3.18 mSv.y-1 with an average value

of 1.32 mSv.y-1. The estimated average annual effective doses are well below the safe limit as

recommended by ICRP.

O08

Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon and its Progeny Concentration in

Dwellings of Trans-Yamuna Region Delhi, India

Ruchie Gupta1, Mohinder Pal1, Deep Shikha2

1Department of Physic, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh-147 301, India 2Department of Physics, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College

Sri Anandpur Sahib - -140 118, India

One of the important aspects related to safety from hazards of natural radioactivity is the

estimation of indoor radon levels. The seasonal variation of indoor radon, thoron and its

progeny concentrations were measured in some dwellings in different parts of Trans-Yamuna

region of Delhi, India for a period of one year. A recently developed passive time integrated

technique of single-entry pin-hole dosimeters was used in this study. The measured indoor

radon concentration values have shown no remarkable difference in magnitude and in seasonal

variation in different regions of the study area. Most of the dwellings showed a uniform pattern

of increase in value of radon concentration during the winter season in comparison to the values

of summer season. This study clearly indicates the effect of seasonal variation on the

measurement of indoor radon concentration in the dwellings of this part of Delhi. The

calculated values of radiation dose from the exposure to indoor radon, thoron and progeny

concentration doesn’t pose any serious health risk to the dwellers.

O09

Radiological Impact Assessment of Different Building Material Additives

E. Kocsis, E. Tóth-Bodrogi, A. Peka, M. Adelikhah, T. Kovács

Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary

Natural radioactivity of building materials contributes in huge amount to the annual radiation

dose to population both in terms of external irradiation directly emitted from the material (Ra-

226, Th-232, K-40) and of internal exposure related to the radon exhaled. Most of the

population spends their time indoor, where the natural radiation of the building materials can

increase their exposure for radiation. According to the 2013/59/Euratom Council Directive,

38

raw materials and final products used in building constructions need to be tested for activity

concentration, before using them.

This study presents the radionuclide concentration and radon exhalation values in nine different

sample what can be used in the construction industry, including raw primary materials (coal,

clinker, limestone), by-products (redmud, flyash, slag, mill tailing) and construction materials

(cement, gypsum).

The activity concentration of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 was determined with HPGe gamma

spectrometry, and the radon exhalation was determined by using accumulation chambers and

an ionization detector.

The activity concentration of the studied raw materials ranges between 9 ± 0.6 Bq/kg and 494

± 24.7 Bq/kg for Ra-226, 1 ± 0.07 Bq/kg and 119 ± 8.33 Bq/kg for Th-232 and in case of K-

40 the activity concentration ranged between 24 ± 1.2 Bq/kg and 730 ± 28.7 Bq/kg. The radon

mass exhalation values ranges between 0.07 ± 0.004 and 0.11 ± 0.007 Bq/kgh and the surface

exhalation ranges between 1.2 ± 0.096 and 2.18 ± 0.15 Bq/m2h. with an average value of 0.08

± 0.004 Bq/kgh mass exhalation and 1.54 ± 0.1 Bq/m2h surface exhalation.

The obtained results were compared with other countries result obtained from the same type of

samples. Based on these results the absorbed dose rates, radium equivalent concentration and

annual effective dose were estimated. According to the results the all measured raw materials

can be used by additional materials.

O10

Estimation of Indoor Radon (222Rn) and Thoron (220Rn) Levels along with

Their Progeny in Dwellings of Punjab, India

Deep Shikha1, Rupinderjeet Kaur2, Ruchie Gupta3, Jaswinder Kaur12,

Chandan1, R P Chauhan4, Supreet Pal Singh2, Vimal Mehta2

1Deptt. of Physics, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Anandpur Sahib-140118, India 2Deptt. of Physics, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002, India

3Deptt. of Physics, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh-141411, India 4Deptt. of Physics, NIT, Kurukshetra, India

In the present work, an exertion has been made to assess the indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron

(222Rn) levels utilizing radon-thoron discriminator pinhole based twin cup dosimeter with

single entry surface in dwellings of a territory of Punjab, India. The equilibrium equivalent

level of indoor radon is surveyed by using Direct Radon Progeny Sensor (DRPS) and indoor

thoron by Direct Thoron Progeny Sensor (DTPS). These sensors are designed by Bhabha

Atomic Research Center, Mumbai. These estimations have been done in the rainy and winter

season. The annual average indoor radon concentration is 44±14.08 Bqm-3,57.40±17.61Bqm-3

and thoron concentration is 56.91±19.75 Bqm-3, and 64.45±23.90 Bqm-3 for rainy and winter

season, respectively. The thoron concentration is a little greater than radon concentration which

concludes that thoron may be a significant benefactor to the inhalation dose in dwellings under

39

study. The arithmetic mean value of equilibrium equivalent radon and thoron concentration

during the rainy season is 11.25±2.91 Bq m-3 and 0.62±0.14Bq m-3 and during winter season

is 13.36±3.36Bq m-3 and 0.85 ±0.34 Bq m-3 respectively. The average total inhalation dose is

0.97±0.21mSv y-1 and 1.19±0.24 mSv y-1 during the rainy and winter season, respectively. This

value of inhalation dose lies well within the recommended reference level of 10 mSv y-1 by

ICRP.

O11

Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentration in the Saharanpur District,

Uttar Pradesh Using SSNTDs

Pankaj Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Rajnish Kumar, R.B.S. Rawat, Kapil Vats

M.S. College, Saharanpur

To take attention on indoor radon measurement from last few decades is due to the potential

health risk posed by this odourless gas. The present study has been taken up to investigation

the indoor radon concentration in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Pinhole twin cup

dosimeters were used to find out indoor radon concentration with LR-115 type II solid state

nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The experiment was conducted on 67 dwellings for

measurement throughout a year within four quarters. The average radon concentration was

found to vary from 17.30 Bq/m3 to 56.22 Bq/m3 with an average 39.96 Bq/m3, maximum and

minimum value is 101.74 Bq/m3 and 8.86 Bq/m3 respectively. In addition, quarterly variation

of radon level is presented in this paper. The resulting values are found approximately equal to

the world average indoor radon value of 40 Bq/m3 and lower the value of the action level 300

Bq/m3.

O12

Study of Radon Exhalation Rates from Coal using Solid State Nuclear

Track Detectors

Debajyoti Barooah, Pranjal Protim Gogoi

Department of Physics, Cotton University, Guwahati 781001, Assam

Radon (222Rn) exhalation rate from the ground plays an important role in the estimation of

indoor radon level. In this paper, the exhalation rates of radon were measured using LR-115

(II) nuclear track detectors in the coal-mining area of Assam, which has significant geological

features. The mass and surface exhalation rates from the coal samples were found to be varied

from 6.1-16.2 mBq/kg/h and 201.6-535.7 mBq/m2/h, respectively. The mass and surface

exhalation rates from the soil samples varied from 7.1-15.2 mBq/kg/h and 236-507.62

mBq/m2/h, respectively. The results that have been found are less than the maximum

permissible value as per the recommendations of OECD.

40

O13

Natural Radioactivity in Rocks and Associated Radiation Exposure and

Radiological Hazards in the Environs of Udupi on the South West Coast of

India

Sandesh Achari1, Vinutha P.R.2, Kaliprasad C.S.3 and Narayana Y.1

1Department of Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199

2Department of Physics, Bearys Institute of Technology, Mangalore-574 153

3Department of Physics BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India-560 019

The external radiation exposure to the population of a region arises mainly from cosmic rays

and from terrestrial radionuclides present in soil and rocks. While absorbed dose rate in air

from cosmic radiation outdoors at sea level is about 30 nGy h-1 for the southern hemisphere,

the specific levels due to terrestrial background radiation are related to the types of rock from

which the soil originates. Therefore in the present study the activity concentration of natural

radionuclide in rock samples collected from different locations of Udupi district were analysed

by gamma spectrometry. As soil and rocks are the major construction materials for the

buildings, the measurement of radioactivity in these matrices is important to assess the

radiological hazards to the human population. The measured average activity concentration of

226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 18.55±1.11 Bq kg-1, 45.46±1.33 Bq kg-1 and

536.75±5.42 Bq kg-1. The radiological hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity,

external index, internal index, absorbed dose, annual effective dose, annual gonadal dose and

excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated to assess the radiation risks associated with rock

samples. The effective dose rate to a specific organ such as lungs, ovaries, bone marrow, testes

and whole body was analysed.The activity concentration ratio showed that the 232Th and 40K

are the major source of gamma radiations in rocks.The mean value of 40K in the study area

was found to be slightly higher than the world average value. The variables of statistical

analysis of natural radionuclides have shown that the distribution of radionuclides in rock is

not uniform. The results of these investigations are presented in the paper and were discussed

the literature values reported for other environs.

O14

Impact of Radiations on Human Life

Amita Raizada

DAV PG College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

The term ‘Radiation’ is implied here, to the ionizing radiation which has enough energy to

ionize atoms or molecules which comes its way of propagation. These radiations may be

cosmic or terrestrial, natural or artificial, are present all around us and have different sources

of origin. Their exposure to human life causes number of hazards e.g. tissue damage, inhibition

of growth, mutation of DNA etc. which may lead to health issues and hereditary problems. In

41

this paper the effect of low and high doses of natural and artificial radio-nuclides have been

observed. Benefits and risks of those radiations which are caused due to human activity are

assessed so that the harmful effects are minimized or controlled.

O15

The Study of EM Radiative Effects on Human Health Caused by Cellular

Phones/Networking Towers

Rajesh Sharma1, Paryag2, Rajnish2, Neha3

1Assistant Professor MNS Govt. College, Bhiwani-127021 (Haryana) 2Research scholar, BMU, Rohtak-124021 (Haryana)

3Research scholar, SSSUT&MS, Sehore-466001, Madhya Pardesh

In present time, the Mobile phones are the preliminary communication tools in urban and

rural area peoples. The Exposure of em waves of radiofrequency (RF) caused by mobile

phones has affect the users at universal level with continuous manners. The present study shows that

the numbering of cellular phone users gone up to about 5 billion to 7.4 billion in world. The

current development of using the cellular phones has been increased the attention of users and

scientist about the safety majors of health. The preliminary study reflects that the user concerns

are about the cancers causes in childhood, adult and other living issue. In addition to this there

are possibilities of hypersensitivity, un-socialism or other symptoms generated because of too

much uses of cellular phone. The emitted radiation from mobile phone and networking towers

is electromagnetic (EM) ray lying in frequency range (850–1800) i.e. in microwave region. The

data collected from health concerned directed that the vibration/frequency produced by cellular

phones or its base stations may be major affect the health of the human being and rate of

effectiveness increases with the decrease of distances between users and cellular phone or

networking towers.

O16

Effect of mobile phone radiations on plants

Manu Pant

Department of Life Sciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), 566/6 Bell Road,

Clement Town, Dehradun-248002

A major source of rising radiofrequency radiations is the expansion of telecom networks across

the world. The various studies conducted so far broadly have reported a consensus that the

exposure to RF-EMF leads to stress like conditions for the plants. They have also reported that

the strength and duration of exposure also is the determining factor for the effects observed and

that there are changes in the biochemical (enzymes) and cellular activities in response to the

exposure. India has witnessed a multifold increase in the mobile telecommunication network

in recent years. The flora of the region stands vulnerable to the effect of upsurge in numbers of

mobile towers and “tower sharing” both, in urban and rural areas. It can be safely inferred that

42

the RF EMF exposure affects the entire lifecycle of the plant right from germination to fruiting

in varying degrees. This also gives rise to the speculations that mobile phone radiations may

have substantial impact on active ingredient composition in medicinal plants and quality of

produce in crop plants. Apart from this, the indirect changes like that on pollination and

interactions with the microbes has also been reported. There is a need to determine safe SAR

values for plants especially the food crops and to ensure that the relatively safe SAR values are

maintained in areas where agricultural food crops are grown on a large scale. The same plant

may also be studied in different climate, topography and soils. Extensive studies can help to

come out with generalized solutions to mitigate and prevent such detrimental effects on the

plants.

O17

Estimation of IEF and SAR for Human Skin Exposed to 5G Spectrums

Rahul Kaushik

Department of Physics, H.V.M. (PG) College Raisi, Haridwar (Uttarakhand)

The induced electric field (IEF) and specific absorption rate (SAR) for human skin are

estimated in this study, when human skin is exposed to frequencies of 5G spectrum radiated

from base transceiver station (BTS) are studied. The IEF inside human body and resulting SAR

are estimated using their electrical conductivity, permittivity and mass density at various

frequencies of 5G spectrum radiated from BTS and the resulting values inside the skin tissues

at various depths are compared with the given safe exposure limit by the international agencies

such as FCC, ICNIRP, IEEE, NCRP etc. The result suggests that the 5G frequency spectrums

may be harmful for the human skin tissues.

O18

Measurement of Soil Gas Radon, its Exhalation Rates and Activity

Concentration of Radionuclides in Soil Samples of Roopnagar District,

Punjab, India

Vimal Mehta1, Rupinderjeet Kaur2, Ruchie Gupta3, Jaswinder Kaur1, Deep

Shikha1, Supreet Pal Singh2

1Deptt. of Physics, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Anandpur Sahib-140118, India 2Deptt. of Physics, Punjabi University, Patiala-147002, India

3Deptt. of Physics, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh-147002, India

The aim of this research is to estimate the concentration of radon, its exhalation rates and

natural radioactivity present in the soil of Roopnagar district of Punjab. Concentration of radon

has been found to ranges from 246.7 Bq.m-3 to 51.2 Bq.m-3 with an average value of 116.2

Bq.m-3. Radon mass and surface exhalation rate are found to vary from 1.19 mBq.kg-1.h-1 to

5.73 mBq.kg-1.h-1 with an average value of 2.69 mBq.kg-1.h-1, and from 4.92 mBq.m-2.h-1 to

23.69 mBq.m-2.h-1 with an average value of 11.16 mBq.m-2.h-1, respectively. It is observed that

43

226Ra, 232Th and 40K occurrence concentrations are 32.3 Bq.kg-1, 43.9 Bq.kg-1, and 423.0

Bq.kg-1, respectively. The dose levels of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ingested by air have

an average value of 14.9 nGyh-1, 27.3 nGyh-1, and 5.9 nGyh-1, respectively. The cumulative

dose of air consumed from all radionuclides ranges from 19.6 nGyh-1 to 87.8 nGyh-1 with an

average value of 48.2 nGyh-1, well within the acceptable limits recommended by the United

Nations Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiation Effects.

O19

Study of Soil–Gas and Indoor Radon Concentrations in Test Village of

Tehri Garhwal, India

Pooja, Mukesh Prasad, R. C. Ramola

Department of Physics, HNB Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal-249199, India

In this study, radon concentrations in soil and indoor air, radon exhalation rates and radon

progeny concentrations in indoor air were measured at different locations of a model village at

Tehri Garhwal, India. Radon concentrations in soil and air were measured using semiconductor

detector based RAD7 monitor and LR-115 detector based pinhole dosimeters, respectively.

Radon exhalation rates and radon progeny concentrations were monitored using scintillation

detector based RnDuo monitor and LR-115 detectors based direct progeny sensors,

respectively. The aim of the paper is to understand how these values are inter-correlated with

each other in a model village in Garhwal Himalaya. It was also aimed to determine the role of

soil gas radon concentration in indoor radon concentration; a well-known health hazard. The

average values of indoor radon and its progeny concentrations were observed higher in winter

and lower in summer season and equilibrium factor of radon were calculated to be 0.45. The

contribution of radon and its progeny to the total annual inhalation dose had been found to vary

between 55-84% with an average of 71%. Soil gas radon concentration, indoor radon

concentration, radon exhalation rates and radon progeny concentrations were found to

positively correlate mutually with each other. The experimental techniques and results obtained

are discussed in details.

O20

Assessment of Groundwater Quality using Hydrogeochemical Methods in

Bageshwar District of Uttarakhand

Ankur Kumar1, Prakhar Singh2, Poonam Semwal3, Kuldeep Singh3

1Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyala, haridwar-249404 2Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre, Dehradun

3Govt. PG College, New Tehri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Bageshwar district is a part of norther Himalaya in India. In this region river and groundwater

are the major sources for drinking water. 73 water samples were collected from different

44

locations of study area in January 2018. The aim of this study is to trace the heavy metals

present in groundwater as well as assessment of human health risk. Mainly the identification

of hydrogeochemical processes controlling its quality by using ionic ratio, statistical analysis,

geochemical plots and spatial distribution. This study will help to understand the quality of

drinking water in this region as well will define the role of local revers to recharge the

groundwater.

O21

Radiometric Analysis of Groundwater Samples in the Vicinity of GHAVP

Nuclear Power Station Fatehabad, Haryana.

Manik Mehta, Sarabjot Kaur, Sansar Chand, Rohit Mehra

Environment Monitoring and Assessment Laboratory

Dept. of Physics, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element which may cause toxicological or

radiological hazards to the public primarily through ingestion pathway. This study reports

uranium concentration using LED fluorimeter in 49 groundwater samples collected from

Fatehabad district of Haryana in the vicinity of GHAVP nuclear power plant site. The range of

uranium concentration laid between 1.57 μg L-1 to 53.02 μg L-1 with arithmetic mean of 16.77

μg L-1. Two samples in close proximity to power plant site crossed the threshold limit of 30

μg L-1 set by World Health Organization (WHO, 2011). From radiological perspective, the

mean cancer mortality risk and cancer morbidity risk for 234U,235U and 238U were found to

be 4.5×10-11,6.59×10-9,1.1×10-6 and 7.01×10-11,1.04×10-8,1.1×10-6, respectively, which are

lower than the permissible limit of 1.67 × 10-4 as prescribed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory

Board, India (AERB, 2004). Chemical risk quantified in terms of Lifetime Average Daily Dose

(LADD) varied from 0.03 to 1.06 μg kg-1 day-1 resulted in average hazard quotient of 0.28.

Thus, the groundwater of the study area is apt for drinking purposes. The annual effective dose

was estimated for different life stage groups and was found to be maximum for infants owing

to their organ sensitivity. Uranium concentration in groundwater samples was positively

correlated with EC, TDS, Salinity, Redox potential and Dissolved Oxygen. However, negative

correlation with pH was observed for the samples.

O22

Assessment of Radioactivity in Drinking Water

Prakhar Singh1, Ankur Kumar2, Taufiq Ahamad1, O. P. Nautiyal1

1Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre, Dehradun 2Department of Physics, GKV Haridwar

Humans are exposed to ionizing radiation from several natural sources like soil, water and air.

Anthropogenic activities such as medical experimentation and nuclear power generation causes

augmentation of human dose as well. Population studies in humans demonstrated a dose-

45

dependent increase in cancer risk. Ingestion and Inhalation are the two operations for respective

radiation dose intaking. The present study asserts a qualitative as well as quantitative analysis

of radon activity concentration in drinking water and respective dose assessment for different

organs by intaking. In this study 54 samples of drinking water from distinct sources (hand-

pump, spring and water supply by the municipality) were collected from Pithoragarh district

of Uttarakhand, state of India. The radon concentration was measured through smart RnDuo

with following the protocols given by BARC. Physiochemical chemical properties were

analysed as well. This study is a baseline of maintaining a quality of drinking water for health

prospective.

O23

Soil Radon Monitoring for Earthquake Precursor Study by Networking

Approach in Eastern India

Saheli Chowdhury1, Chiranjib Barman2, Md. Nurujjaman3, Dipok Bora4,

Argha Deb2

1Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700032, West Bengal 2School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences, Jadavpur

University, Kolkata – 700032, West Bengal 3Department of Physics, Sidho-Kando-Birsha University, Purulia - 723104, West Bengal

4National Institute of Technology Sikkim, Ravangla - 737139, Sikkim 5Department of Physics, Diphu Govt. College, Diphu – 782462, Assam

Anomalous fluctuation of radon (222Rn) concentration in soil, which is a well-known short-

term precursor of earthquake, has been monitored continuously for about five months in 2018

in the eastern Himalayas and the Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region of eastern India. The

data shows that various physical and meteorological parameters influence the emission of

radon gas from soil, resulting in complex non-linear radon time series. To remove the

influences of weather parameters, a two-step non-linear technique consisting of empirical mode

decomposition and Hilbert-Huang transform has been applied to the recorded data. However,

as this method alone is inadequate to identify the effects of local geophysical factors, the

networking approach has been adopted. Besides a number of seismicity-induced anomalies

seen in soil radon time series of all the stations, one anomaly has been observed almost

simultaneously from all three monitoring centres preceding a 5.3 M earthquake that occurred

on September 12, 2018 in Kokrajhar, Assam. The epicentre of this earthquake was found to be

located in the common region monitored by the three centres. This demonstrates that

monitoring of soil radon from a network of stations can be a promising method for predicting

the possibility of earthquakes occurrences.

46

O24

Study of Pre-seismic Thoron Anomaly Using Empirical Mode

Decomposition based Hibert Huang Transform at Indo-Burman

Subduction Region

T. Thuamthansanga1, B. K. Sahoo2, R.C. Tiwari1

1Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India; 2Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Mumbai-400085 Maharashtra, India

Abstract- A 15 min cycle thoron data was generated at Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram

(India) between January, 2019 and December, 2019 for one year. The monitoring station lies

in a seismically active zone at the junction of Himalayan arc and Burmese arc. The thoron data

was monitored at 1 m depth below the ground surface to minimise meteorological influence.

An indigenously developed and calibrated ZnS(Ag) alpha scintillator counter (Model:

SMARTRnDuo, BARC, Mumbai, India) was deployed for monitoring the thoron data. The

non-linear thoron data was decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using

Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT) was then applied to

those significant IMFs to observed several non-linear features of the data. The instantaneous

energy was then correlated with earthquakes data of the study period within 500 km from the

monitoring station. Meteorological influence on the thoron data and the best predicting factors

were also discussed in details.

O25

Radon and Thoron Exhalation Affected by Bedrock Geology and

Geochemistry of Udhampur and Reasi Districts, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Ajay Kumar1, Sumit Sharma1, Rohit Mehra2, Rosaline Mishra3

Ajay Kumar Taloor4, Prosun Bhattacharya5

1Department of Physics, DAV College, Amritsar-143001, Punjab, India 2Department of Physics, Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology

Jalandhar- 144011, Punjab, India. 3Radiological Physics & Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Mumbai 400085, India. 4Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, University of Jammu, Jammu, 180006, India

5Environmental Science and Engineering, Teknikringen 10B, SE-100 44 Stockholm Sweden

In most ecological frameworks, radio-active elements are ubiquitously present and exhalation

through various pathways can affect living organisms. In current research, NaI(Tl) and HPGe

detectors were used to test the effective concentrations of radioactive nuclides in building

materials derived from different geological units of the Himalayan mountainous area of Jammu

47

and Kashmir, India. The advanced smart RnDuo monitor was utilized to determine the

exhalation concentration of radon and thoron, ranging from 14.82 to 37.85 mBqkg-1h-1 and

124 to 372 mBqm-2s-1 respectively. The analysis of concentrations of radio-nuclides measured

by both methods leads to moderate agreement. There has also been an approximate co-relation

of exhalation with radioactive nuclides, if any. The radium equivalent activity (Ractivity)

measured is found to be within the average global’s value referred by UNSCEAR. Some

common radiological risks, such as annual effective dose, air absorbed dose, annual gonadal

equivalent dose, internal and external hazards have also been calculated for the health

assessment of inhabitants of the study area. The findings indicate that radiological risks are

below the acceptable limits and that there is no substantial radioactive content in the rocks so

it can be used as building materials safely.

O26

Uranium Contamination in Drinking Water as a Health Concern in India

Mukesh Prasad, Pooja, R.C. Ramola

Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus


Impacts of uranium exposure via drinking water on human health are of great concern due to

its radiological and chemical toxicity. Prolonged exposure to the low level uranium isotopes is

reported to be associated with carcinogenic health effects. The exposure to high levels of

uranium is linked with various diseases such as kidney disease, deformity of bones and liver

etc. Furthermore, the use of phosphate fertilizers in agriculture may enhance the uranium

contamination in food stuffs; thereby making uranium exposure as a potential health concern.

Levels and health effects of chronic exposure to uranium in drinking water have been reported

for different geographical regions of India in many studies. In this paper, we review these

studies to investigate the overall effect of uranium exposure via drinking water in India. The

methods and techniques used in these studies are also discussed in detail.

O27

Preparation and Application of Polytheophene Nanocomposites

Neena Panghal

Department of Physics, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak

Among – II conjugated materials polytheophene (PTh) are unique and attractive materials

which are widely used and investigated in every field. PTh have high environment stability,

high conductivity on oxidation, better thermal stability, has less band gap energy.

These are polymerised theophens, a sulphur hetrocycle. Polytheophene matrix can also be

changed to a more conducting one by creating polaron and biopolarn by oxidation or reduction.

Polytheophene and their nanocomposites are used as conducting material in industries and in

48

potential application. Due to conducting property these are used in polymer batteries

electrochromic devices and solar cells. PT could be fabricated as the unit of bio sensor by

direct polymerisation of monomers. PTh are possible to study various forms as castfilms, lb

films or fiber. The parent PT is insoluble but solubality in water is essential for developing

sensor for different bio molecules. Semi conducting PTh due to electro active property make

them useful in electronic, bio medical applications and energy harvesting devices. These have

a wide range of potential application including chemical and optical sensors, FET, LEDs, Solar

Cells, Diodes, Transistors, Super capacitors, Rechargeable batteries, EMI shielding and non

linear optical devices. Preparation of nanocomposites based on polytheophene using materials

such as metal oxide nano particles, nano particles, carbon nano tubes, graphene etc. have been

discussed in this article.

O28

Modification Induced in Ga Doped ZnO Thin Film by using Si+6 Ions Beam

Irradiation

1Sandhya Negi1, M.P.S. Rana2, Fouran Singh3, G.S.Gusain4, R.C.Ramola1

1Department of Physics, HNB, Garhwal University Campus, Badshahithaul

Tehri Garhwal -249199 2Department of Physics, Govt. P.G. College, Utterkashi, Uttarakhand- 249193

3Inter University Accelerator Center, New Delhi 4Govt. P.G. College, New Tehri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand-249001

The undoped and ZnO: Ga thin films were produced by sol-gel spin coating method deposited

on silicon substrates. The synthesized thin films were irradiated at different ion fluence 1×1012,

1×1013 and 5×1013 Ions/cm2 of silicon beam. Structural analysis of ion beam irradiated Ga

doped ZnO thin films was carried out by using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD)

patterns obtained from Bruker D8 advanced XRD machine. The surface morphology of

undoped and doped films was studied by using the Nano scope IIIa SPM atomic force

microscopy (AFM). Electrical properties were measure by four probe method and Hall

measurement technique. UV-visible spectra were obtained using a U-3300 spectrophotometer.

49

O29

Estimation of Seasonal Radon/Thoron Levels and their Exposure to

Inhabitants in Ghuttu Window, Tehri Garhwal, India

Rohit Singh Sajwan1, Veena Joshi1, Naresh Kumar2, Sanjay Dutt1

Kavita Rawat1, Mukesh Prasad3, R.C.Ramola3

1Department of Chemistry, HNB Garhwal University, SRT Campus

Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand -249199.

2Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,33-GMS Road, Dehradun, Uttrakhand-248001 3Department of Physics, HNB Garhwal University, SRT Campus

Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand -249199

In this paper we are presenting indoor Radon/Thoron and their progeny concentration in the

selected houses from different locations of Ghuttu window of Garhwal Himalaya region, near

Main central thrust (MCT). The results of this study focus mainly on the indoor background

radiation level and dose received from the exposure to NORMs. It is useful to analyze the

characteristic of dwellings and various environmental factors such as ventilation rate,

construction materials, seasonal variation and geological conditions of the area. These results

clearly show that average indoor radon and thoron concentrations are much higher in this area

than the corresponding global average value at international levels. From the radiation

protection point of view we have also calculated the AID and AED due to exposure of radon

and thoron progenies in the indoor atmosphere, respectively. We have also measured the radon

and thoron concentration and dose rate base on the different types of dwellings by using

SSNTD (LR-115 films). The value of radon concentration was found to vary from 29.4 to 191.8

Bq/m3 with an average value of 69.4 Bq/m3. The value of thoron concentration was found 29.2

to 143.8 Bq/m3 with an average concentration 59.9 Bq/m3. The estimated value of AID due to

exposure of radon, thoron and progeny in the study area varies from 0.93mSv/y to 2.37msv/y

with mean value of 1.54 ± 0.42 mSv/y. The estimated values of the AED due to radon progeny

vary from 0.35 mSv/y to 1.66 mSv/y with mean value of 0.96 ± 0.35 mSv/y and AED due to

thoron progenies varies from 0.15 mSv/y to 1.01 mSv/y with mean value of 0.44 ± 0.17 mSv/y.

The outcome of this study will be discussed during the conference.

50

O30

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Al2O3:C by Thermal Plasma Reactor for

Radiation Dosimetry Applications

Nandkumar T. Mandlik1, V. B. Varma2, P. D. Sahare3, V. L. Mathe4, S. V.

Bhoraskar4, S. D. Dhole4

1Department of Physics, Fergusson College (Autonomous) Pune, affiliated to Savitribai

Phule Pune University, Pune 411004, India. 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University

Singapore 639798 3Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.

4Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India.

Nanocrystalline carbon doped Al2O3 phosphor (Al2O3:C) has been synthesized by the thermal

plasma method. In the process of the synthesis, preparation of precursor bulk was crucial. After

many trials, we found two approaches very effective for the synthesis. Precursor as bulk

aluminum, concentric with graphite rod (act as the source of carbon) in various weight percent

of aluminum and graphite; and precursor as pellets of aluminum powder and graphite powder

in various weight percent of aluminum and graphite. The optimum composition was

determined by using bisection method of finding route of the equation. For synthesis, two

extreme values and a middle value of starting compositions of aluminum and graphite were

taken. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of those three synthesized batches were taken

for same radiation doses and mass of the substance. Composition corresponding to poor TL

curve was discarded. The above procedure was repeated for compositions corresponding to

higher peak of TL glow curve, unless best TL glow curve was obtained. This corresponds to

optimum composition for the insitu synthesis of nano-Al2O3: C in thermal plasma reactor. The

maximum TL intensity was observed for sample containing 10 wt % of carbon. The as-

synthesized sample has an average particle size of 15 nm, which was confirmed by X-Ray

Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis of as-

synthesized nano-Al2O3:C demonstrates -phase of Al2O3. The SAED pattern shows clear

bright diffraction spots demonstrating, the crystalline nature of Al2O3:C and matches well with

the planes identified in XRD analysis. The TL glow curve was deconvoluted by Computerized

Glow Curve Deconvolution (CGCD) method. The TL glow curve of as-synthesized Al2O3:C

found to have five peaks at 146, 225, 302, 337 and 390 oC. The Al2O3:C nanophosphor can be

a suitable dosimetric material for measuring high radiation doses.

51

O31

Energy Resolution of Compton Electrons in LaCl3:Ce Using Compact

Digitizer

Sanjeet S. Kaintura1,2, V. Ranga1, S. Panwar1, Kalyani1, P. Sehgal1

G. Anil Kumar1

1Radiation Detectors and Spectroscopy Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute

of Technology Roorkee-247667, Uttarakhand, India 2Research scholar at NuStaR Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of

Technology Ropar, Rupnagar - 140001, Punjab, India

Cerium doped Lanthanum halide scintillators are useful in gamma-ray spectroscopy due to

their excellent energy resolution and high stopping power. The good energy resolution (~3.3%

for FWHM at 662 keV), timing resolution (~110 ps for 511 keV gamma from 22Na γ-source)

of the highest quality for LaCl3:Ce makes it exceptional as compared to other scintillation

detectors. A very high light constancy for change in temperature is another quality of these

scintillators. Such extraordinary features of these scintillators allow a wide range of

applications in the field of nuclear spectroscopy, environmental radioactivity, marine

radioactivity monitoring, astronomical measurements, medical imaging, fusion plasma, oil

well logging, security, and, remote sensing, etc. In our present work, the response of Compton

scattered electrons in 1″ × 1″ cylindrical LaCl3:Ce scintillator was measured using PIXIE-4

digital data acquisition system [1]. It is a digital data acquisition system (DAQ) having no

requirement of any external pulse-processing unit and coincidence unit, which makes the whole

measurement setup quite compact [2]. The intrinsic energy resolution of Compton electrons in

LaCl3:Ce was measured using the Wide Angle Compton Coincidence Technique (WACCT)

for gamma-ray having energy from 100 keV up to 1.33 MeV by using 137Cs, 60Co and 22Na

γ-ray sources [3]. Compton Coincidence Technique (CCT) requires two detectors, one is a

detector to be tested (LaCl3:Ce) and another one is a reference detector (HPGe due to its

excellent energy resolution). The 2d coincidence energy spectrum of LaCl3:Ce and HPGe is

gated using the reference HPGe detector and projected on LaCl3:Ce. This technique eliminates

the contribution of multiple Compton scattering events and we obtain the response of single

Compton scattered events in LaCl3:Ce. The results obtained are useful in understanding the

overall scintillation mechanism and origin of energy resolution in inorganic scintillators.

Preliminary results show that the intrinsic energy resolution of crystal emerges due to the

scattering of electrons in the LaCl3:Ce scintillator.

52

O32

Concentration of Heavy Metals Used in Some Personal Care Products Used

in Kano, Nigeria

Habibu Ahmad Ibrahim, Abubakar Sani Garba, Yusuf Abubakar Maitama

Hotoro, Yahaya Ado Sumaila, Salisu Abdu Utai

Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil, Nigeria

There have been adverse increase in the usage of cosmetics and personal care products in Kano

state of Nigeria. There’s the need to describe human exposure to heavy metals from such

product. Because the users have no any idea of the effects of heavy metals used in such personal

care products. And no report is available on the personal care product to describe the

concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc, which have biotic effects on humans.

In our research, the levels of the concentrations of the heavy metals used were determined in

53 samples of 5 different classes of personal care products commonly used in Kano. We used

the atomic absorption spectrophotometry AAS method to find the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu

and Zn in all the personal care products. The highest values of Cd (0.623ppm) and Cu

(0.694ppm) were observed in hair cream, while medicated cream was mostly implicated for Cr

(0.383 ppm) and Zn (0.793 ppm). Since no limit relating to cosmetic products in Kano was

available, we were unable to confirm if the values concentrations of the heavy metals obtained

in this research are too high or low. But Cd and Cr are internationally prohibited in any amount

in cosmetics and personal care products. And as such the use of soaps and creams containing

these elements may pose threat to human health and their environment.

O33

Geometrical Stress Tensor of the Radiation Fluctuation and Quantum

Gravity

Shankar Lal

Department of Mathematics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus


In the present paper, the Geometrical fluctuations of the stress tensor are discussed, as are the

resulting of the space time metric fluctuations. We show a direct connection among the

radiation fluctuation for any stationary. Fluctuations of the space time Geometry are driven by

stress tensor fluctuations. We discuss the decomposition of the stress tensor correlation

function into three parts, and physical implications of each part in the geometrical form. The

conditional significance of metric radiation fluctuations and possible limit of validity have been

discussed. We have discussed the introductory part of the basic tools of stress tensor and

quantum gravity in the metric space. Again, we emphasized stress tensor correlation function

and used basic object of radiation is the quantum stress tensor operator. Further, we define

complete normal ordered term to measure the radiation fluctuations in the metric stress tensor.

53

Also tensor finiteness of integral of the cross term are metric space to relevant integrals by an

integration by parts. Quantum Radiation fluctuations of pressure is a beam of light falling on

mirror exerts force in the Maxwell Stress tensor. The electromagnetic field in the piece of stress

tensor correlation function which is the most complicated to explain pure vacuum piece. In the

metric tensor of radiation fluctuations and quantum gravity, we use our expression for stress

tensor correlation function to find the correlation function for metric by vacuum of

electromagnetic field.

O34

Assessment of Radon-222 Activity in Groundwater and Soil-Gas in Purulia

District, West Bengal, India

Joydeep Mukherjee1,Sayantan Mitra1,Sushanta Sutradhar1,Saheli

Chowdhury2,Chiranjib Barman1, Sonjoy Mondal1, Argha Deb2

1Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal 723104 2Department of Physics & SSERAS, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032 West Bengal

Activity measurement of radioactive, chemically inert gas radon-222 has been carried out at

different locations in Purulia district, West Bengal. The aim of this work is to study the activity

of ground water radon-222 and the radon content in soil gas. The potential effect due to the

presence of this radionuclide on the health of local inhabitants has been estimated also. The

study area is located in the easternmost part of the heavily faulted Chota Nagpur plateau of

eastern India. Although this is geologically an interesting zone, radon mapping has not been

studied extensively in this region yet. Spatial distribution of ground water radon has been

observed with an average value around 117Bq/l. The radon content in soil gas is measured at

the places where high water radon values were observed. The activity of radon-222 in soil gas

is found to vary beyond 45kBq/m3. Interestingly, the soil and ground water radon

concentrations near the Beldih Apatite mine region in Southern Purulia were found to be

comparatively much higher than the other part of the district. The possible reason of this high

radon content in the soil and ground water of South Purulia is the presence of Intrusive Granite

rocks in this region, which also exhibit uranium-238 mineralization.

O35

Development and Validation of CFD Code for Radon/Thoron Decay

Product Studies

Tarun K Agarwal1,2, Mukesh Kumar3, B.K. Sahoo1, B.K. Sapra1,2

1Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India 2Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, BARC, Mumbai, 400085, India

3Reactor Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

Monitoring of indoor radon, thoron and their decay products concentration is important for

inhalation dosimetry. As decay products are particulate in nature upon inhaling reach the lungs

54

and cause internal irradiation leading to DNA damage and may leads to stochastic effects such

as cancer for prolonged exposure scenario. Their concentration could reach high in

radium/thorium handling facilities as well as in indoor in poor ventilation conditions. Their

concentration even varies considerably when the ambient conditions such as air temperature,

ventilation, and relative humidity changes. Although desirable, but it is very difficult to

experimentally and theoretically capture these effects at a wide range. In recent time,

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach has been established as a convenient substitute

for restrictive experimental and theoretical approaches; offering fast, reasonable and confident

solutions in various contexts. Its potential towards simulation of radon and thoron distribution

has been explored in different aspects and validated as well. While the applicability of CFD

code needs to be extended towards studying the decay products characteristics at microscope

depth. In view of this, various physical process governing the aerosol dynamics and

subsequently decay product behaviour in the indoor environments have been incorporated in

the existing CFD structure (covering fluid dynamics only). Apart from the basic aerosol and

decay products physics, the code has been incorporated with four modules for 1) Particle

deposition 2) Thermophoresis 3) Coagulation Module for aerosols and 4) Gravity settling.

After incorporation, it is always required to ensure the reliability and consistency of the code

in terms of outcomes which necessitates the verification and validation of the code. The paper

presents the verification and validation studies of the CFD code by comparing the simulated

results with published benchmark problems. Comparison showed a good agreement between

simulated results and estimated by analytical models within ±5 %.

O36

The Importance of Direct Progeny Measurements for Correct Estimation

of Effective Dose due to Radon and Thoron: Application to the Uranium

and Thorium Region of Lolodorf, Cameroon

Bineng Guillaume Samuel 1,2, Saïdou1,2; Tokonami Shinji3

1Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812

Yaounde, Cameroon; 2Nuclear Technology Section, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, P.O. Box 4110

Yaounde, Cameroon; 3Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Radiation Emergency and Medicine, Hirosaki

University, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan

This study deals with natural radiation exposure to the public caused by inhalation of radon,

thoron and their progeny in seven inhabited areas, located in the uranium and thorium bearing

region of Lolodorf, Cameroon. Then the equilibrium (FTn) factor between thoron and its

progeny was determined in order to show the importance of direct progeny measurements for

correct estimation of effective dose due to radon, thoron and their progenies. In order to assess

internal exposure due to radon and thoron, passive type radon-thoron detectors and thoron

progeny monitors were deployed for two months in 220 dwellings of the study area. Average

geometric concentrations of radon, thoron and thoron progeny were respectively 89 Bq m-3,

55

118 Bq m-3, 7.4 Bq m-3. Total effective dose due to radon and thoron was estimated at 4.2 mSv

y-1; the average contribution of thoron and its progeny at the dose was 53%. Thoron equilibrium

factor varied according to seasons, the type of dwelling, building materials and localities. In

addition, effective dose due to thoron varied greatly according to the different values taken by

FTn and was different from that determined directly using the thoron progeny concentrations.

Thus, effective dose due to thoron determined from the equilibrium factor is unreliable.

Therefore, the risk of public exposure due to thoron (Tn and TnP) may therefore be higher than

that of radon (Rn and RnP) in many parts of the world if FTn is no longer used in estimating

total effective dose. This is not in contradiction with the UNSCEAR conclusions. It is therefore

important to directly measure the radon and thoron progeny for a correct estimate of effective

dose.

O37

Mapping of Radon Concentration in Drinking Water of Davanagere

District, Karnataka State, India

Mohamed Hidayath, Chandrashekara M.S., Namitha S.N.

University of Mysore

Radioactive elements originate from the earth’s crust and make their way into air, water, food

and eventually in to the living system. Even though 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by

water, only 0.3% of the total water resources on Earth are available for drinking and daily use.

Humans fulfill their water requirement from both surface and ground water. Water contains

trace amounts of radioactive elements and contribute significant amount of dose to living

beings. In present study 222Rn concentration was measured in ground water samples of

Davanagere district, Karnataka state. Samples collected from Davanagere district were

analyzed using portable Smart Radon Monitor (SRM) which is technologically advanced and

designed for multipurpose applications of 222Rn studies. The concentration of 226Ra in water

samples is measured using emanometry technique for selected samples.

222Rn concentration in ground water is found to vary from 39.2±2.1 Bql-1 to 128.2±9.7 Bql-1

with a geometric mean of 79.23±5 μSvy-1. The radon concentration in ground water was found

to be low in most places compared to standard safe limits prescribed by WHO and USEPA.

The inhalation and ingestion dose due to radon concentration in water to the population was

also estimated. The effective dose for an adult population due to radon concentration in water

is found to be varied from 199±10.7μSvy-1 to 650.4±49.2 μSvy-1.

56

O38

Estimation of Natural Radioactivity and Radiation Hazard Indices in Soil

Samples of Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India

Suresh S.1, Rangaswamy D.R.2, Sandeep Dongre3, Sannappa J.3, Srinivasa E.4,

Rajesh5

1Department of Physics, M P E Society’s S D M Degree College, Honnavar

Karnataka, India 2Department of Science and Humanities, PES University, Electronics City Campus,

Bangalore, India 3Department of Studies and Research in Physics, Kuvempu University, Shankaragatta, India

4Department of Physics, IDSG Government College, Chikkamagaluru, India 5Department of Physics, Reshmi Post Graduate College, Kalaburagi, India

The prime aim of this study is to quantify the natural radioactivity in soil and the evaluation of

potential health hazards to residents of this area. Thirty-six soil samples were collected from

various locations of Uttara Kannada district having different geological conditions. The

measurements were made by using HPGe detector-based gamma ray spectrometry. The

average 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 36.13 ± 0.96, 48.47 ± 1.26 and 415.76

± 6.83 Bq kg-1 respectively. These values are slightly higher than the world average values.

The average annual effective dose equivalent value was found to be 0.40 mSvy-1, is less than

the ICRP proposed value of 1 mSvy-1. The radiological hazard indices were computed and

compared with internationally agreed values. All the radiological hazards indices values are

well within the criterion limits. Hence, the soil samples of this area are safe and there are no

potential health hazards are expected from majority of soil samples collected from this area.

O39

Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Uranium and Major Ions in

Groundwater of Jalandhar District of Punjab, India

Tanu Sharma1, Bikramjit Singh Bajwa1, Inderpreet Kaur2

1Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India 2Department of Chemistry, Centre for Advanced Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University,

Amritsar, Punjab, 143005, India

The present work was conducted to evaluate the seasonal variation (pre- and post-monsoon) of

uranium distribution and physico-chemical parameters in the groundwater samples collected

from Jalandhar (70) district, northern Punjab, India along with its quality and suitability for

drinking purposes, source identification and associated health risks. In both seasons, uranium

concentration in majority of the groundwater samples was below WHO limit (30 µg L-1) and

found to exhibits positive correlation majorly with TDS, EC and total alkalinity. Principal

component analysis revealed the dissolution of rocks/minerals contributing to mineralisation

of associated aquifers in addition to some anthropogenic activities such as excessive

57

application of fertilizers/pesticides and dumping of domestic waste followed by their seepage

into the groundwater table. All groundwater samples except one in pre-monsoon season fall in

very-good to good drinking groundwater quality and its quality is more improved in post-

monsoon season owing to dilution of various inorganic salts during groundwater recharge in

monsoon season. Average Hazard Index (HI) values due to ingestion of U, F- and NO3- via

drinking water for both adults and children were found to be marginally greater than safe limit

of 1 with major contribution from F-. It is advisable to the local government/public for regular

monitoring of groundwater and proper management policies or strategies should be adopted

followed by their implementation to control groundwater pollution in this district.

O40

Uranium Estimation, Radiation Dose Assessment and Physico-Chemical

Parametric Study of Underground Water in Tarn Taran District, Punjab

State, India

Archana, Jaspal Singh

Physics Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005

High uranium content in groundwater & health effects related to it have been witnessed in

south-west districts of Punjab from past two decades. It is the matter of great concern so in that

context our current study focuses on Tarn Taran district which is situated in west region of

Punjab State and shares its boundary with Amritsar(North), Kapurthala(East),

Ferozepur(South) & Pakistan(West). This region is supposed to be highly indulged in

cultivation and use of various fertilizers. At present, 56 samples have been collected belonging

to different depths from under-groundwater sources such as tube-wells & hand-pumps. The

mean value of uranium is found to be 38µgL-1 with the variation of 0.9µgL-1 to 224.6µgL-1,

where almost half of the samples are above the permissible limit (30µgL-1) given by world

health organisation. Maximum value of total dissolved solids (TDS) observed in this region is

1365mgL-1 which is quite higher than the recommended value (600mgL-1). Correlation of

uranium with other physico-chemical parameters has also been analysed. As most of the

samples collected are used for drinking purposes, the higher values of uranium and TDS may

lead to health risks with the long term usage of the groundwater in this region. Carcinogenic

and non-carcinogenic risks have been calculated along with age dependent mean effective dose.

58

O41

A Study of Radon and Thoron Exhalation Rate in Soil Samples from

Barnala and Moga Districts, Punjab, India

Supriya Rani, Sandeep Kansal, Amit Kumar Singla, Rohit Mehra

Department of Physics, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, India

In the present study, radon and thoron exhalation rates in 50 soil samples were measured by

using Smart RnDuo developed by BARC, Mumbai in Barnala and Moga Districts of Punjab,

India based on grid pattern by 6×6 kms which is helpful for contour mapping of area. Radon is

naturally occurring gas, originating from Ra-226 decay which is decay product of Uranium-

238. Soil and water have different radon concentrations due to which its exposure to inhabitants

varies substantially from place to place (UNSCEAR, 1998). By diffusion process radon can

transferred into the soil. Human beings ingested this radon gas through eating food. Soil is

important source of indoor radon, an air pollutant that is associated with roughly half of the

effective dose equivalent to the general public from natural radiation (UNSCEAR 1982).

Indoor radon exposure is associated with the risk of leukaemia and certain other cancers, such

as melanoma and cancers of kidney and prostate (Darby et al., 2005; S Kansal et al., 2011).

The progenies of radon have adverse effect on human body. The radon gas is inhaled into the

lungs, then most of it is pumped out and does not build up in the respiratory system. However

small fraction of the radon that reaches the interior region of the lungs can damage the DNA in

sensitive lung tissue and cause cancer (R Mehra et al., 2015). Radon accumulated in human

body results in chemical and radioactive effects. Therefore, it is important to determine the

radon levels as to assess the health risk to local population. The detailed results and conclusions

will be presented and further discussed.

O42

Studies on Natural Radioactivity and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Soil

in Belagavi, India

Kamalakar V.D.1 Vinutha P.R.2, Kaliprasad C.S.3, Narayana Y.1

1Department of Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199 2Department of Physics, Bearys Institute of Technology, Mangalore-574 153


The ionising radiation to which the human beings are continuously exposed originate from two

sources: terrestrial and extraterrestrial. The terrestrial radiation originates from the

radionuclides present in the earth crust while extra-terrestrial radiation comes from cosmic

rays. The cosmic ray intensity is nearly a constant at sea level and increases with altitude. The

terrestrial radiation level varies from place to place depending on the concentration of natural

radionuclides in soils and rock from which the soil originate. The concentration of

radionuclides in soil also depends on the physico-chemical parameters of the soil. In view of

59

this detailed studies on the activity of natural radionuclides and the dependence of activity on

physico-chemical parameters of the soils have been carried out in the environs of Belagavi

district of Karnataka, India. The ambient gamma radiation levels was measured using a portable

plastic scintillometer. Activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was measured using

gamma ray spectrometer consisting of 5”x5” NaI(Tl) Scintillation detector. The data was

analysed with Pearson correlation matrix, using SPSS software. The frequency distribution of

activity concentration was studied. The dependence of radioactivity in soil on pH and organic

matter of soils were studied. The results of these systematic investigations are presented and

discussed in the paper.

O43

Effects of Meteorological parameters on Radon exhalation rate from soil,

building materials and its comparison with different techniques-A Review

Sandeep Dongre1 Sunilkumar1,2, Suresh S.1,3, Sannappa J.1

1Department of Studies and Research in Physics, Jnana Shayadri, Kuvempu University

Shankaraghatta – 577451, India 2Department of Physics, S.S Arts College and T.P Science Institute, Sankeshwar-591313,

3M.P.E Society’s S.D.M degree College, Honnavar, Uttarakannada-581334, India

Radon is a radioactive noble gas, a member of natural radioactive decay chain of 238U is

produced in all soils, rocks and building materials. It is recognized as one of the cause of health

hazard to human beings. The epidemiological studies WHO, UNSCEAR, ICRP reports

indicates that radon is a second leading cause for lung cancer after tobacco. The indoor radon

concentration is higher than the outdoor concentration. The concentration mainly depends upon

radon exhalation rate from soil and building materials and also meteorological, geophysical

parameters. Radon exhalation is affected by meteorological and geophysical parameters. To

study the effect of these parameters on radon exhalation rate the long term continuous

measurements of radon exhalation rate from soil along with the meteorological parameters

were conducted at one site of Kuvempu University campus. The data were presented and

analyzed in this paper. Some of the researchers all over the globe are carried out the radon

exhalation rate from soil samples and building materials in powdered form. This will not

contribute to the exact estimation of radon concentration and the inhalation dose to the human

beings because the major concentration is exhaled from undisturbed building materials and the

soil of the earth crust. In view of this we are trying to measure the radon exhalation from soil

and building materials in their natural forms using the accumulation method by scintillation

technique. The results are compared with the different techniques used by several researchers

all over the globe.

60

O44

Annual Monitoring of Risk Assessment due to Radon, Thoron

and Their Progeny Element in the Dwellings of Kumaon

Himalaya Region of Uttarakhand

Preeti Pant, Tushar Kandari, R.C.Ramola

Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal, 249199

In the present study, it was estimated to measure the radon, thoron and their progeny concentration

through active and passive detector technique in the Kumaon Himalaya Region. For the

measurement of radon and thoron concentration, Twin cup pin-hole dosimeters with LR-115

detector were used while for the attached and unattached progeny concentration, LR-115 type-II

deposition-based Wire-mesh capped sensor consisting of (DTPS/DRPS) and direct deposition

based DTPS/DRPS sensors were used respectively. The study was planned to calculate the annual

risk assessment and various health risk factors like the dose conversion factor, equilibrium factor

etc. Thereafter, we estimated the annual effective dose due to radon, thoron and their progeny

concentration. The results obtained will be well explained in the full length paper. This study is

important from health risk point of view due to its epidemiological perspective.

O45

Quantification of Exhalation Rate of Rn-222/Rn-220 in Soil Samples of

Champawat Region of Kumaun Himalaya, India by using Active

Technique

Taufiq Ahamad1, O.P. Nautiyal2, Prakhar Singh2, Manish Joshi3, A.A. Bourai4,

A.S. Rana1, Kuldeep Singh5

1Department of Physics, Shri Guru Ram Rai PG College, Dehradun 248001, India 2Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre, Dehradun 248001, India 3Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center

Mumbai 400094, India 4Department of Physics, HNB Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal 249199, India 5Department of Physics, Govt. PG College, Tehri Garhwal, New Tehri 249001, India

In order to measure the radiological contribution of Rn-222 and Rn-220, soil serve as a key

source for the distribution of natural background radiation to the ambient environment of

inhabitants. Most of the radiation comes from source terms i.e., exhalation and emanation from

soil and building materials. The present study is carried out in Champawat district in Kumaun

Himalayan belt of Uttarakhand, India. For the measurement of Rn-222 and Rn-220 exhalation

rates, soil samples were collected from different locations across the vicinity of Champawat

region. Gamma radiation level was also measured at each of the selected locations. The

Scintillation detector based active technique using Smart Rn Duo portable monitor was

61

employed for the estimation of exhalation rates of Rn-222 and Rn-220. The measured values

of mass exhalation rate for Rn-222 varies between 2.25 and 125.26 mBq/kg/h with an average

of 27.67 mBq/kg/h, whereas the 220Rn surface exhalation rate ranges from 0.72 and 22.96

Bq/m2/s with an average 8.93 Bq/m2/s and emanation rate was found to range from 86.39 and

2745.10 mBq/kg/s with an average 1067.31 mBq/kg/s. The measured value of gamma dose

rate was found to vary from 0.08 to 0.30 µSv/h with an average 0.18 µSv/h for the same region.

The results then inter-correlated between exhalation rates and background gamma levels for

the radiological baseline.

O46

Studies on Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil Samples and its Radiological

Hazards to the Population of Davanagere District, Karnataka State India

Mohamed Hidayath, Chandrashekara M.S., Vipin Kumar P.

University of Mysore

The radioactive elements originates from earth’s crust and enters into the living system through

soil, air and water. Radon exhalation rate from soil is one of the main source of radiation

exposure to human beings. At some situations the concentration of radioactive elements present

in natural soil may increase and can reach to higher radiological limits. Radon exhalation rate

from the soil is a significant study to analyze the health risk to the people in a given area.

In present study radon exhalation rate in soil samples of Davanagere district were analyzed

using Smart Radon Monitor (SRM) which is having ZnS04 (Ag) scintillation detector. The

study area covers from 75° 30' 00" E to 76° 30' 00" E longitude and 13° 45' 00" N to 14° 50'

00" N latitude. Activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples were measured

using p type HPGE detector. The mass exhalation rate of radon from soil samples of

Davanagere district varies from 1.49±0.31 to 4.43±0.49 Bqkg-1h-1 with a geometric mean of

2.33 ±0.37 Bqkg-1h-1and surface exhalation rate of radon from soil samples ranges from

83.09±17 to 247.42±27 Bqm-2h-1 with a geometric mean of 130.39±20 Bqm-2h-1. The 226Ra,

232Th, and 40K activity concentrations were also measured in the same study area and mean

values were found to be 5.6 Bqkg1, 8.7 Bqkg-1 and 11.47 Bqkg-1 respectively. A good

correlation between the radioactive elements in the soil samples and radon exhalation rate is

observed. To understand the health risk from radon in soil its health hazards index also studied.

62

O47

Impact of the Leakage and Back Diffusion Rates on Measurement of

Radon Exhalation from Commonly used Building Materials

Vandana Devi, R. P. Chauhan

Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India

Radon exhalation measurement can be carried out using different techniques which can be over

and underestimated because of several influencing factors. The present study deals with the

influencing factors like leakage and back diffusion and discusses the correction in exhalation

rate of radon that can be free or bound. Here the exhalation rates are carried out using active

measurement technique scintillation radon monitor. The average value of background radon

concentration is found 13.19 ± 0.2 Bqm-3. Leakage measurement is carried out using two

methods. Leakage rate of 2.8 × 10-3 h-1 is estimated from the deviation in the natural decay

and leakage with decay curve. In order to find the main radon loss process for the used

accumulator a consistency between the two curves with and without leakage is also performed.

The free exhalation rates of samples under study varied from 28 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1) for plaster

to 459 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1) for Soil with an average of 211 ± 30 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1). The bound

exhalation rates varied from 43 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1) to 462 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1) with an average

of 194 ± 27 mBqm^(-2) h^(-1). The back diffusion rates of the samples under study are also

measured by direct fitting of radon growth data. Correct measurement of exhalation rate is

important as it is also used in modeling radon concentration and hence dose assessment.

O48

Effect of Soil’s Porosity and Moisture Content on Radon and Thoron

Exhalation Rates

Aibanjop Pyngrope1, Atul Saxena1, Bijay Kumar Sahoo2

1Department of Physics, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong -793022 2Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, BARC Mumbai-400085

The earth’s crust is known to contain trace amount of primordial radionuclides such as uranium

(238U) and thorium (232Th), from which radon and thoron are decaying. In the soil matrix, radon

and thoron transport mechanism is largely influence by soil parameters. Owing to this fact,

variation of radon mass exhalation rate (Jm) and thoron surface exhalation rate (Js) exhalation

rates with soil’s porosity and moisture content has been assessed using a standard radon/thoron

monitor-Smart RnDuo, from 40 soil samples collected from few selected locations of East

Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, India. Results revealed that, both Jm and Js shows no

convincing trend of variation with porosity. With respect to moisture content, a sporadic

increase is observed in the values of Jm and Js up to 30 %, beyond which a decreasing trend

is observed; this is attributed to the enhancement of radon/thoron emanation by the capillary

63

component of soil water at lower moisture content, however with increase in moisture content,

the pore space is gradually filled, as a result migration of emanated atom is obstructed.

O49

Estimation of Attached and Unattached Fraction and Deposition Based

Progeny Sensors using Wiremesh DTPS/DRPS

Amit Kumar Singla, Sandeep Kansal, Supriya Rani, Rohit Mehra

Department of Physics, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, India

In present study, the attached and unattached radon and thoron progeny concentration has been

calculated by using Wire-mesh capped DTPS/DRPS in Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar and

Churu districts of Northern Rajasthan, India. Radon and thoron are the major contributor to the

ionizing radiation dose received by the general population. The World Health Organization

indicated that exposure due to radon, thoron and their decay products in dwellings could be the

second most important cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. Most of the radiation dose comes

from the decay products of radon and thoron which tend to attach themselves with aerosol

particles and then get deposited in the respiratory tract (ICRP. 2014). The unattached fractions

of radon and thoron are predominantly responsible for dose received by the target cells in the

bronchial epithelium and absorbed at faster rate into blood (R Mehra et al., 2015). Henshaw

(1990) claimed that indoor radon exposure is associated with the risk of leukaemia and certain

other cancers, such as melanoma and cancers of the kidney and prostate (S Kansal et al., 2011).

A high value of indoor radon in a particular geological area can be health hazard and could

cause lung cancer in humans who are resident of that area. In the present manuscript an attempt

was made to estimate the equilibrium equivalent concentration (EEC) of radon and thoron,

their unattached fractions and the radiological dose received by the residents of the three

districts of Northern Rajasthan, India. Radon accumulated in human body results in chemical

and radioactive effects. Therefore, it is important to determine the radon/thoron and their

progeny levels as to assess the health risk to local population. The detailed results and

conclusions will be presented and further discussed.

64

O50

Quantification of Naturally Occurring Radionuclides and Their Relation

with Soil Gas Radon Concentration

Veena Joshi1, Sanjay Dutt1, Rohit Sajwan1, Mukesh Prasad2, R.C.Ramola2

1Department of Chemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal-249199, India 2Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus


This study was carried out in the District Pauri of Garhwal region and soil samples were

collected from 20 locations of Pauri Districts . These soil samples were analyzed for

radionuclides by using HPGe for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K content of the soil. The results obtained

after the study show an average value 48.5 (range 23.7 to 75.8), 68.1 (range 34.9 to 89.64) and

659.7 (range 105.7 to 950.2) in Bq.Kg-1 for radium, thorium and potassium contents

respectively. Simultaneously the soil gas radon concentration was also measured at the same

locations by using RAD7 and average values for the soil gas was found 2753 (range between

246-8500) in Bq.m-3. Efforts were made to find out the correlation between radionuclide’s

(radium equivalent) and radon, which shows a negative correlation, these results suggest that

values for these two quantities does not fit in the linear fitting curve. Further results will be

shared in communications.

O51

Assessment of 222Rn and 220Rn Exhalation and Emanation Rate from the

Soils of Himalayan Belt of Uttarakhand, India

Poonam Semwal1, Ankur Kumar2, Kuldeep Singh1,Manish Joshi3, Tarun Kumar

Agarwal3, R.C. Ramola4

1Department of Physics, Govt. P.G. College, New Tehri, Tehri Garhwal- 249001, India 2Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya Haridwar -249406 3Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center

Mumbai- 400094, India 4Department of Physics, HNB Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal- 249199, India

The source terms, i.e., exhalation and emanation from soil and building materials are the

primary contributors to the radon (222Rn)/thoron (220Rn) concentration levels in the dwellings.

The present work estimates the 222Rn/220Rn source term (especially for mud and stone houses)

for predicting their respective concentration in the dwellings. The work has been carried out in

Nainital district of Kumaun, located in Himalayan belt of Uttarakhand. In order to estimate the

source term, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates were measured from the soil samples collected

from different locations. Chamber technique associated with Smart Rn Duo portable monitor

65

was employed for the estimation of 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates. Gamma radiation level

was also measured at each of these locations. Radio-nuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K)

concentrations were measured in soil samples using NaI(Tl) scintillation based gamma ray

spectrometry. The mass exhalation rate for 222Rn was varying between 13 and 81 mBq/kg/h

while the 220Rn surface exhalation rate was ranging from0.32 to 3.93 Bq/m2/s. Inter-correlation

of exhalation rates and intra-correlation with background gamma levels were also studied.

O52

Assessment of Terrestrial Gamma Radiation Exposure in Different Stress

Conditions

Ganesh Raturi1, Sanjeev Kimothi2, Mukesh Prasad3, Shubhas Chandra4, Asha

Thapliyal5, Rakesh Chand Ramola6

1Dept. of Physics, Govt. (PG) College, Purolla,Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand 2Dept. of Physics, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jolly grant Dehradun, Uttarakhand

4Dept. of Physics, P.N.G. Govt. (P.G) College, Ramanagar, Nainital, Uttarakhand 5 Uttarakhand Space Application Centre, USAC, Dehradun Uttarakhand

3,6Dept. of Physics, SRT Campus, HNB Gahrwal University Srinagar Uttarakhand

Terrestrial gamma radiation exposure on the earth’s surface establishes the linkages with the

distribution of radionuclide elements (e.g. 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in that environmental

condition. The rate of variation of the terrestrial gamma radiation in the environment is directly

associated with the regional geology and to the elemental concentration of these elements. The

studies related to environmental radiation are highly emphasized by researchers and especially

evaluation over the fragile Himalayan regions. In this study, Environmental terrestrial gamma

radiation dose rates (µSv/h) were measured over the three different geological conditions

(Kamal valley, Tona valley and Yamuna valley) with the objective of establishing baseline data

on the background radiation. An extensive survey of gamma-ray dose rate is conducted

focusing the areas highly suitable for fractures and valley zones. The rocks types in the study

regions are basically unconsolidated and moderately structured. The Gamma-ray dose rate at

1m above the round was measured at >100 points, using a 1 inch φ x 2 inch NaI(Tl) scintillation

counter (SS-gamma, photonics) which shows the gamma-ray dose rate in nSv h-1. The highest

gamma dose rate is observed 0.27 nSv h-1 with estimation error 35% at Rama site of the Kamal

valley. Similarly, for Buthothra site of Tons valley it is found to be 0.21 nSv h-1 with estimation

error 37% and at Rekhud site of Yamuna valley it is 0.19 nSv h-1 with estimation error 36%.

The ranges of the Gamma dose rate in other sites are also found under the recommended value

with normal distribution.

66

O53

Transfer Parameters of 90Sr into the Skeleton of Farm Animals

Baigazinov Zh.A., Baigazy S.A., Lukashenko S.N., Kovacs T.

University of Pannonia, Hungury

This paper presents transfer parameters of 90Sr into the bone of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs,

and its distribution in different parts of bones and wools.

The experiment toke place on the Semipalatinsk test site using contaminated forage, soil and

radioactive solution to feed the animal, which was carried out twice a day, with free access to

water. Duration of feeding was from 8 up to 16 weeks.

After the slaughter, various types of bones were selected from the skeletons of the animals:

mixed (thoracic vertebra), tubular (femur), and flat bone (rib). After the cleaning, all bones

were divided into several parts. Thoracic vertebra: body, arch, transverse process, spinous

process. Femur: medial part, epiphysis, spongy tissue. Rib: the head of the rib, (the central

part) the body of the edge, the end of the edge. The determination of 90Sr activity was carried

out on a Progress beta-spectrometer in pre-salted samples.

The coefficient of unevenness (the ratio of the minimum activity concentration of radionuclide

in bone tissue to the maximum activity concentration) 90Sr in the studied parts of the animal

skeleton can differ from 1.5 to 11 times. The distribution of 90Sr in different parts of the rib,

thoracic vertebra, and femur of sheep and horses was found to be commensurate. A similar

pattern has not been established for cattle and pigs. The highest biological availability of

radionuclide to the body was noted when it was delivered with contaminated feed, compared

to soil. The data obtained can be used to estimate the radiation doses of farm animals grazed in 90Sr-contaminated areas, as well as to develop a method for assessing the content of 90Sr in the

animal skeleton.

O54

Uranium distribution in groundwater of Faridkot district of SW-Punjab

and its remediation using WS2 nanostructures

Satvir Singh1, Tanu Sharma1, Shivani Sharma2, Sandeep Sharma 1, Inderpreet

Kaur3, B.S. Bajwa1

1Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India 2Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei-115201, Taiwan

3Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, India.

High prevalence of uranium in a region may pose radiological & chemical toxicity, which can

cause severe health problems associated with kidney, brain, liver etc to inhabitants of the

region. Thus, a systematic monitoring of uranium concentration and development of efficient

67

remediation strategies has gained immense attention. Considering this background, present

study was carried out to assess the uranium contamination in groundwater of Faridkot District

of SW- Punjab region. The average uranium concentration in the collected groundwater

samples has been observed to be 89.25 µg l-1. It has been found that around 71 % of

groundwater samples were having higher uranium concentration than the WHO (2011)

recommendation of 30 µg l-1 and out of those samples even 43% samples even exceeded the

AERB (2004) limit of 60 µg l-1. It has also been observed that the shallow groundwater has

high uranium concentration and it decreases with the depth profile. The measured various

water quality parameters such as pH, TDS and conductivity etc will also be discussed to find

their influence on uranium distribution variation in groundwater of this district. In the present

work, Crystalline WS2 nanostructures were developed following a single-step process using

liquid exfoliation in deionized watersynthesis, characterised using X-ray diffraction, RAMAN,

SEM-EDX TEM and BET for their structural and surface features. The nanostructures were

found to perform best at optimum adsorption parameters: pH (6), adsorbent dose (0.6 g/L) and

contact time (40 min). The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity (mg/g) of WS2

nanostructures was 37.26 mg/g and thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneous and

endothermic nature of adsorption process. These nanostructures were found to act as efficient

and effective adsorbents for treatment of uranium contaminated groundwater samples.

O55

Distribution of Natural Radioactivity Levels of Soil Samples and

Assessment of Radiation Hazards in the Davanagere district, Karnataka in

India

Malleshi Kavasara1, Vinutha P.R.2, Kaliprasad C.S., Narayana Y.1

1Department of Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199 2Department of Physics, Bearys Institute of Technology, Mangalore-574 153


The knowledge on the radiation level and distribution of radionuclides in the environment is

important to understand the effects of radiation exposure human population. The concentration

of radiounclides in environmental matrices like soil and rock depends on the type of minerals

present in them. Some of the technological activities can enhance the radiation level in the

nearby environs. Davanagere district in Karnataka is known for different mining activities. In

view of this detailed studies were initiated in the region to measure the radiation level and

radionuclide distribution to assess the radiological hazard to the population of the region. As

part of the program, the concentration of natural radiouclides in soil samples collected in

different location near by mining activity regions in Davanagere district were analyzed by using

NaI(TI) based gamma spectrometry system. The FTIR studies were carried out to find the

different types of minerals present in the soil samples. The measured activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soils were found to be in the range 10.34±0.69 to 51.67±1.52 Bq kg-1,

6.22 ± 0.49 to 40.00 ± 1.27 Bq kg-1 and 54.47 ± 1.86 to 621.46 ± 5.83 Bq kg-1, with an mean

68

value of 28.07 ± 1.09, 21.58 ± 0.90 and 237.68 ± 3.69 Bq kg-1, respectively. The other

radiological hazards parameters such as radium equivalent activity, external and internal

hazards indices, annual effective dose, annual gonadaldose, excess lifetime cancer risk were

calculated to assess the radiation risks associated with the mining activity. The results of these

systematic investigations are presented and discussed in the paper.

O56

Natural Radioactivity Levels and Associated Radiation Hazards in Soil

Samples of Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka, India

Srinivasa E.1, Suresh S.2, Rangaswamy D.R.3, Soundar R.3, Sannappa J.4

1Department Science & Humanities, PES University, Electronic City Campus, Bangalore 2Department of Physics, IDSG Government College, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India

3Department of Studies and Research in Physics, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, India 4Department of Physics, Government First Grade College, KGF, Kolar District-India

All terrestrial organisms along with people are continuously bombarded via radiation emanated

from terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources. Terrestrial radiation is due to primordial

radionuclides including 238 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra and 40 K present in various quantity in soil,

rocks, water, and building substances. The study of natural radioactivity in environment is

important because, the major source of radiation exposed to the humans is due to the primordial

radionuclides and their daughter products present in the earth crust. The activity concentration

of natural radionuclides and gamma radiation dose rate in soil samples at some places of

Chikkamagaluru District was determined by gamma ray spectrometry. The average activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in different soils were found to varies from 15.2±0.6 to 58±1.2, 14±0.6 to

86.2±1.7 and 224.5±5.5 to 1650±20.3 Bqkg-1 with a mean value of 36.93±1.0, 51.6±1.3 and

566.97±11.0 Bqkg-1 respectively. The annual average effective dose values were higher than

the Indian average value.

O57

Variation of Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water Samples of Garhwal

Himalaya Region

Manjulata Yadav1, Mukesh Prasad2, R.C. Ramola2

1Department of Physics, Govt. Degree College Nainidanda, Pauri Garrhwal 2Department of Physics, H.N.B.Garhwal University Campus, Badshahi Thaul,

Tehri Garhwal-249199

In this paper we present the variation of natural radioactivity in soil and water samples of Tehri

Garhwal district of Garhwal Himalaya. The soil and water samples collected from different

locations were studied and analyzed using Gamma ray spectrometry and Laser Fluoremetry

techniques. The activity concentrations 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were found to

69

vary 31 ± 6 Bq kg-1 to 67 ± 7 Bq kg-1 with an average 46 Bq kg-1, 38 ± 7 Bq kg-1 to 86 ± 10

Bq kg-1 with an average of 52 Bq kg-1 and 612 ± 120 Bq kg-1 to 1277 ± 168 Bq kg-1 with an

average of 902 Bq kg-1, respectively. Weathering of the bed rocks and soil the radionuclides

transfer for soil to water and a significant amount of radionuclides are present in the water

samples. Uranium is the most important radionuclides which easily soluble in water and affect

the human life. For this purpose we calculate the value of uranium in water in the present area

to contribution of total dose in the study area and transfer coefficient of radionuclides of soil

to water samples. Uranium concentration in water samples was found to vary from BDL to 2

ppb with an average 0.6 ppb. The measured values of activity concentrations in the soil and

water samples were found within permissible limits. The measurement techniques and results

obtained are discussed in detail.

O58

Efficient removal of Uranium (VI) from aqueous solution utilizing L-

histidine capped copper nanoparticles

Jaspreet1, Satvir Singh2, Inderpreet Kaur3

1Department of Chemistry, Center for Advanced Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University,

Amritsar, Punjab- 143005,India 2Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab-143005, India

Uranium is one of the heaviest elements that exists naturally in significant quantities on earth

and finds its greatest application as a source of energy. Although the human body contains

uranium in harmless amounts, but chronic exposure from inhaling in contaminated air,

consuming contaminated food and water may lead to several health issues mainly affecting

kidneys, liver, brain, heart etc. Uranium is also a possible carcinogen as per some reports. Thus,

it becomes imperative to detect trace amounts of U(VI) in drinking water which is the most

common source for its exposure. In this work, L-Histidine capped CuNPs are used for

adsorption of uranyl ions from aqueous solution. CuNPs and L-His CuNPs were characterized

by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–

Teller (BET). The adsorption was studied in detail focusing on the parameters like pH,

adsorbent dose, contact time and initial U(VI) concentration. Maximum adsorption capacity of

L-His CuNPs was observed at pH(6), contact time(120),adsorbent dose(2g/l). Further,

Langmuir adsorption isotherms were plotted and maximum adsorption was observed to be

15.14(mg/g) and adsorption was explained by pseudo second order kinetics model. The L-His

CuNPs were successfully applied for removal of U(VI) from drinking water collected from

various locations of Punjab.

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O59

Impact of Radiation in Origin of Life and Evolution on Earth: A Review

Shalini Rawat

Department of Botany, Govt. P.G. College, New Tehri (T. G.)

Radiation is defined as electromagnetic energy of quanta which is able to detach an electron

from any atom or molecule. Ionization creates reactive species like ion-radicals and free

radicals, which start sequences of chemical reactions even of high activation energies.

During early stages of earth formation Lightning, not strictly speaking ionizing radiations but

rather a source of high energy was responsible for more concentrated deposition of energy.

Omnipresent ionizing radiation was acting on every sort of chemical compounds in the chain

of origin of life and evolution of the biosphere, from prebiotic compounds.

Miller (1953 &1955) by his classic experimentations demonstrated the formation of amino

acids and polymers respectively considering all the environmental condition of that time

(extremely high temperature and lightning).These complex molecules responsible for

formation of large colloidal aggregates ‘coacervates’ - the precursors of origin life on primitive

earth.

Though most life on earth is harmed by exposure to ionizing radiation, radiolysis enable some

organisms to develop the ability to survive. Recent discovery of new species of bacteria which

consumes hydrogen formed by particles emitted by radioactive Uranium, Thorium, and

Potassium reflects radiation as one of the inducing factor for continuity of life on earth.

Ionizing radiation produce melanins in certain organisms, which can help them to convert that

large amount energy into food. Laboratory experiments have shown that when ionizing

radiation interacts with ice, particles are produced that can support life.

Role of radiation on emergence and extinction of species is another important aspect of life

on earth. Organisms have their particular niches, and extinction creates vacancies. Connection

between mass extinctions and dramatic radiations of new species seems intuitive. Jennifer

Hoyal Cuthill et.al. findings indicate that mass extinction and mass radiation are not always

coupled together as if life on Earth is maintaining an equilibrium.

O60

Toxicological Risk Assessment of Uranium in Drinking Water of Central

Haryana, India

Vikas Duggal

Department of Physics, DAV College Bathinda, Punjab, India

The concentration of uranium in fifty-seven drinking water samples collected from Central

Haryana, India was determined using LED fluorimetry to estimate radiological and chemical

71

toxicity risks and age-dependent annual effective doses for inhabitants of this area. Uranium

concentrations varied from 4.5 and 90 µg L-1 with a mean value of 23.4 µg L-1 and a median

of 19 µg L-1. Approximately 21% of the samples exceeded the WHO’s provisional guideline

value of 30 µg L-1. The annual effective dose was calculated for various life stage groups and

results showed that the infants have received relatively high mean annual effective doses

compared to the other age groups. The average values of cancer mortality risk and cancer

morbidity risk were found to be lower than the Indian permissible limit of 1.67 × 10-4

recommended by AERB, India. The lifetime average daily doses of uranium varied from 0.13

and 2.57 µg kg-1 day-1. A positive correlation was observed between uranium concentration

and total dissolved solids.

O61

Natural Background Gamma Radiation Dose Estimation in the

Surrounding Villeges of Devarakonda Town, Telangana State, India

M.Srinivas Reddy,G.Suman, K.Vinay Kumar Reddy, M.Sreenath Reddy,

Ch.Gopal Reddy, P.Yadagiri Reddy

Osmania University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Nagarjuna Government College

Natural background gamma radiation levels were estimated in indoors and outdoors of the

surrounding seven villages of Devarakonda town, which is in the close vicinity of uranium

mining area, in the Telangana State, with Micro-R survey meter and Thermoluminescence

Dosimeters (TLDs). The estimated average absorbed dose rate in the indoors and outdoors

with survey meter were found to be 233 ± 68 nGy h-1, 204 ± 55 nGy h-1, respectively, and with

TLDs in the indoors was found to be 318 ± 48 nGy h-1. The measured dose rate is about three

times higher than the national average. The distribution of gamma activity concentration in the

study area is observed to be followed normal distribution. An attempt has made to find out the

cause of gamma radiation levels in the dwellings and also calculated the effective dose rate to

the public living in the villages.

O62

Estimation of Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil Samples in and Around Oil

Field Areas of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh District of Assam

Sonali Dutta1, Hiranya Kr. Sarma2, Ranjan Kr. Kakati3

1Department of Physics, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati, Assam, India 2Principal, Suren Das College Hajo,Kamrup,Assam,India

3Director, Students’ Welfare, Gauhati University,Assam,India

An investigation to ascertain the radon level as well as radon exhalation rates from soil samples

collected from different locations inTinsukia and Dibrugarh district of Assam with the help of

72

LR115(Type II) detectors using Can technique is presented in this article. Radium

concentration observed for soil samples has been found to be varying from 1.33 Bq/Kg to 1.6

Bq/Kg and from 1.39 Bq/Kg to 3.05 Bq/Kg for Duliajan.The Radon exhalation rate in these

samples has been found to be varying from 0.834 to 0.998 mBqm-2 h-1 and from 0.81 to 1.97

mBqm-2 h-1 for Duliajan. A positive correlations with (R2 =0.947 and 0.99 ) have been found

between radon exhalation rate and radium concentration in the samples for the investigated

areas. The obtained results indicate normal levels of indoor radon concentration and effective

radium content in all locations of the studied area.

O63

Dosimetric Assessment of Primordial Radionuclides in Groundwater of

Sikar District, Rajasthan

Chanchal Charan, Sarabjot Kaur, Sansar Chand, Rohit Mehra

Environment Monitoring and Assessment Laboratory, Department of Physics, Dr. B. R.

Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab

Safe drinking water is the one of the prime requisites for good health. In the present study,

uranium concentration in 48 groundwater samples of Sikar district, Rajasthan was determined

using LED fluorimetry. Uranium content in water samples ranged from 0.5µg L-1 to 93.41µg

L-1 .Uranium concentration in 27% of these samples crossed the advocated safe limit of 30µg

L-1 by WHO, 2011. Radiological toxicity was accounted for different uranium isotopes. The

mean morbidity risk for 234U, 235U and 238U were 9.42×10-11, 1.40×10-8, 1.48×10-5 respectively.

Similarly, the mean mortality risk for 234U, 235U and 238U were 6.05×10-11, 8.85×10-9 and

1.48×10-6 respectively. Chemical toxicity quantified in terms of Lifetime Annual Daily Dose

(LADD) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) highlighted significant health hazard risks to the members.

Strong positive correlation was observed between uranium concentration and TDS. However

a negative correlation was reported between uranium concentration and ph. Annual ingestion

doses for different age groups have also been calculated. Results of these measurements could

be of vital importance in radio epidemiological assessment, diagnosis and prognosis of uranium

induced diseases in the local population of the area under investigation.

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O64

Quantification of Outdoor Gamma Radiation Level and Consequent

Health Hazards Assessment in Panipat District of Haryana

Naresh Tanwer1, Poonam Anand2, Neha Batra3, Krishan Kant2,

Y.P. Gautam3

1Department of Chemistry, Aggarwal College Ballabgarh, India 2Department of Physics, Aggarwal College Ballabgarh, India

3NAPS, Narora, India

Human beings are exposed to natural background ionizing and non-ionizing radiations that

come from food, air, water, building materials, industrial activities, cosmos and human body

itself. The exposure due to terrestrial and extraterrestrial radiations to human beings is

inescapable. There are two main sources of natural background radiation exposure, high energy

cosmic rays and radionuclides (40K, 238U, 232Th etc.) that originated from the earth’s crust

and are present everywhere. The variation of terrestrial radiations is quite common and obvious

than that of cosmic radiations. There are some regions in the world where the outdoor terrestrial

radiation is higher due to the enrichment of particular radioactive minerals leading to the

formation of what are known as high background areas. The radiation dose due to natural

terrestrial gamma radiations is an important contribution to the average total dose rate received

by world’s population. Therefore, in this study, a systematic measurement of outdoor gamma

radiations has been done using radiation monitor, based on Geiger-Muller technique, in Panipat

district of Haryana. The gamma dose rate was found to be in the range from 85±4.25 nSv/h –

216±10.8 nSv/h. In previous studies conducted in different regions of India namely, Shimoga,

Karnataka, Durg, Chhattisgarh, coastal regions of Kollam district of Kerala and along the river

Alaknanda and Gange, the gamma dose rate was reported to be in the range of 87±1.72 -

323.64±16.6 nGy/h, 117±5 - 185±7 nSv/h, 210 - 1340 nSv/h and 81.33±2.34 - 144±5.77 nSv/h

respectively. The annual effective dose (AED) due to outdoor gamma radiation in Panipat

district was computed to be in the range of 0.104±.005 - 0.265±.01 mSv/year. The value of

excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was found to be in the range of 0.321×10-3 - 0.626×10-3.

74

O65

Analysis of Uranium Concentration and Associated Age-Dependent

Radiation Dose in Bottled Water from Haryana State, India

Samriti Sharma, Amandeep Singh, Vikas Duggal, B.S.Bajwa

Department of Physics,Chandigarh University, Gharuan-Mohali 140413, Punjab, India

Department of Physics, DAV College, Bathinda-151001, Punjab, India

Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University 143001, Amritsar, India

The concentration of uranium and the associated age-dependent annual effective dose were

measured in thirty commercially successful brands of bottled waters purchased from Haryana

State, Indiausing LED fluorimeter LF-2a. The measured concentration of uranium ranged from

0.0985 to 3.3072 μg l-1 with an average value of 1.0323 μg l-1. Uranium concentrations in all

the samples were well below the World Health Organization and the United States

Environmental Protection Agency recommended level of 30 μg l-1. The annual effective dose

was determined by taking the recommended water intake values of different age groups. The

highest dose was calculated for infants, which makes them the most crucial group of the

population. The results show that the average annual effective dose for all age groups was

below the ICRP recommended reference dose level of 1 mSv y-1.

O66

Study of Indoor Radon Thoron and Their Decay Products Level in

Residences of Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand, India

Sanjay Dutt1, Veena Joshi1, Rohit Singh Sajwan1, Madhu Lata Bharti1,

R.C.Ramola2

1Department of Chemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus

Tehri Garhwal-249199, India 2Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus


Tendency of radioactive radon gas to accumulate in the indoor environment can cause serious

health hazard to human being. Presented study has been carried out in district Udham Singh

Nagar of Uttarakhand. Pinhole twin cup dosimeters were utilized to measure gaseous radon

and thoron and deposition based radon/thoron progeny sensors were utilized to measure decay

products. In both techniques LR-115 (SSNTD) was used as a detector. The annual average

value for radon and thoron was found 36.3 Bq.m-3 and 48.8 Bq.m-3 respectively. Progeny of

radon and thoron was found 17.0 Bq.m-3 and 1.7 Bq.m-3 respectively. The seasonal variation

in concentration of radon, thoron and progeny were estimated and doses (AID and AED) were

also calculated by applicable formulae. The AID due to radon and thoron was found at 1.64

mSv.y-1 and 0.53 mSv.y-1 respectively. The experimental techniques and obtained results will

be discussed in details.

75

O67

Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Air Pollutants in Major Cities of

Uttarakhand, India

Amar Deep

Chinamya Degree College, BHEL, Haridwar

Meteorological parameters play an important role in determining the prevalence of ambient air

pollutants in the major cities of Uttarakhand. In the present investigation, the some

meteorological parameters like as temperature, relative humidity, rain fall, wind speed and

wind direction and air pollutants (PM10, SO2 and NO2) were analysed for the period of four

years 2013-2016. The correlation coefficient between SO2 and NO2 found 0.79. Analysis of

‘Air Quality Index (AQI)’ variations indicates unhealthy atmospheric conditions and the value

of AQI was found range 200-300. The average mass concentrations of PM10, less than 10µm

in aerodynamic diameter were found to be maximum during pre-monsoon season. The increase

of relative humidity and temperature was found to be highly related to the increase of PM10

episodic events. During non-rainy days, the episodic events for PM10 were increased.

O68

Identification of Water Quality Status in Upper Ganga Basin using Enviro

Assessment Techniques

Amit Kumar Sharma1, Arvind Kumar Sharma1, Ankur Kumar2, Vishal Kamboj1

1Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be

University), Haridwar, Uttarakhand 2Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar,

Water quality in upper Ganga basin tends toward deteriorating condition due to numerous

natural and anthropogenic factors in the term of rapid population growth, heavy increase in

developmental activities. The water quality of upper Ganga basin was studied between

September 2019 and August 2020 in four sampling zones in relation to detect the pressure of

natural and anthropogenic impressions on sustenance of freshwater biodiversity using some

ecological assessment tools and techniques. Water Quality Index (WQI) and Overall index of

pollution (OIP) were used to assess the possessive impact of various developmental activities

on the water quality. Some important physico-chemical parameters were assessed and were

compared with international standards. Physico-chemical parameters like turbidity, DO and

BOD showed an increase trend in sampling zone 4. Both the WQI and OIP in the selected

sampling zones proficiently apprehended the impact of the several anthropogenic actions in the

lower part of upper Ganga basin and also showed that the water quality was suitable to endure

aquatic biodiversity. Lastly, it can be concluded that several human activities including river

bed mining have slight negative impact on the quality of the river water. Still, these types of

movements need to be monitored continuously and can be controlled.

76

O69

Study of Uranium Toxicity in Humans from Protracted Ingestion of

Groundwater in Lower Himalayas

Abhishek, Sarabjot Kaur, Rohit Mehra

Environment Monitoring and Assessment Laboratory, Department of Physics, Dr. B. R.

Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab

Monitoring of uranium content in groundwater of radiologically active areas is a vital step for

establishing baseline of environment protection. In this regard, 64 groundwater samples

collected post-monsoon from handpumps or dug wells in Hamirpur and Mandi districts of

Himachal Pradesh were analysed by LED fluorimeter for analysis of uranium concentration

and associated health risks. Uranium content varied from 0.25 to 17.92 µg L-1, with an average

value of 1.97. Evidently, all groundwater samples were within the safe limit of 30 and 60 µg

L-1 recommended by WHO (2011) and AERB (2004) respectively. Radiological and chemical

toxicity was also measured for different isotopes of uranium. The calculated average mortality

and morbidity risks were lower than the actual prescribed limit. The average Lifetime Average

Daily Dose (LADD) was calculated as 0.04, resulting in Hazard Quotient (HQ) well below

unity. Thus, the groundwater is safe for drinking water consumption by members of the public.

Using Hair Compartment Model for uranium and mean daily uranium intake of 2.71µg for 60-

year exposure period, organ specific doses due to uranium radioisotopes in prime organs/tissues

and excretion rates via urine, faeces and hair pathway were estimated.

O70

Luminescence and Dosimetric Characteristics of Microcrystalline

SrB4O7:Eu3+ Synthesized by Solid State Diffusion Method

Avinash R. Kachere1, Prashant M. Kakade1, Sanket Jangale1, P.D. Sahare2, S.

D. Dhole3, Nandkumar T. Mandlik1

1Department of Physics, Fergusson College (Autonomous) Pune, affiliated to Savitribai

Phule Pune University, Pune 411004, India.

2Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India. 3Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India.

SrB4O7:Eu3+ microcrystalline powder sample was prepared by solid state diffusion method. In

this method, strontium carbonate and europium chloride (0.2 M %) were mixed in distilled

water. Few drops of hydrochloric acid were added into the solution to dissolve solution

completely. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes and heated at about 80 0C to evaporate the

water completely. This powder mixed with boric acid and grinded up to 20 hrs. The mixture

was kept in the furnace for 2 hrs at 500 0C. Then the phosphor was crushed and sieved to obtain

grains in the size less than 90 μm. Finally, the microcrystalline powder was annealed and

77

quenched at 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 0C for 2 h in a quartz boat in an air atmosphere.

These samples irradiated for 100 Gy, 1 kGy and 6 kGy gamma dose and their

Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves were recorded. The sample annealed at 700 0C was

found to have maximum TL intensity. The other samples were synthesized for 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8

and 1 M% doping concentration of EuCl3; annealed and quenched at 700 0C for 2 hrs and their

TL was recorded. The TL glow curves shows major peak at 100 oC, a hump at 156 oC and a

small peak at 320 oC. The TL glow curve was deconvoluted by Computerized Glow Curve

Deconvolution (CGCD) method. The sample having maximum TL intensity was irradiated for

different gamma doses and TL response curve was studied.

O71

Quantification of Doses and Health Risks to Organs and Tissues

Corresponding to Different Age Groups due to Radon in Water

Amit Sarin1, Anjali Kaushal2,4, Bikramjit Singh Bajwa3, Navjeet sharma4

1Department of Physical Sciences, I.K.G. Punjab Technical University, Amritsar campus,

143105, Punjab, India 2Department of Physical Sciences, I.K.G. Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, 144601,

Punjab, India 3Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India

4Department of Physics, D.A.V. College, Jalandhar 144008, Punjab, India

This paper quantifies the inhalation and ingestion doses to different organs and tissues due to

radon dissolved in drinking water. For this a study was under taken in Ludhiana district of

Punjab, India. Radon enters the human body through respiratory tract during inhalation and

through stomach during ingestion process. Utilizing the measured radon concentrations in

water samples and adopting dose conversion models, ingestion doses corresponding to

different age groups (infants, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and adults) were estimated. The

study concludes that the maximum dose is received by the stomach as compared to other organs

and tissues. Dose to lower age groups was found to be higher than that for the adults. Cancer

mortality and morbidity risks have also been estimated for different cancer-sites. Stomach was

seen to possess maximum cancer mortality risk for both male and female gender. An

assessment of contribution of radon dissolved in water radon to indoor concentration was also

made.

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O72

Radiation Dosimetric Properties of Mango Leaf Extracts

Bhagat Chand, Mukesh Kumar

Department of Physics, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, 144004

The chlorophylls play a significant role in the photosynthesis reaction of plants. Chlorophylls

absorb the photons from sunlight and result in excitations and ionization reactions. On this

basis, the effect of radiotherapy radiation beams on chlorophyll extracted from mango leaves

in 80% acetone has been studied. The solution contained a mixture of pigments. The solution

was irradiated under a 6 MV x-ray beam of a medical linear accelerator in source to axis

distance (SAD) setup. The solution was subjected to the x-ray doses ranging from 0.2 Gy to 16

Gy at a dose rate of 6 Gy / min. Radiometric analysis has been done by acquiring the UV-Vis

spectra of the irradiated samples in a range fro 400-750 nm at 0.5 nm pitch. The absorbance at

664nm corresponding to the major absorbance of chlorophyll a has been observed as an

indicator of the radiation effect on the solution. It has been found that the absorbance at these

wavelengths decreased with increasing dose following an asymptotic exponential relationship.

The proposed dosimeter was found dependent on dose rate and beam quality. The study showed

that the chlorophylls 80% acetone solution can be used as a radiation dosimeter in the range of

doses commonly occurring in radiotherapy.

O73

Comparative Study of Radon Exhalation Rates from Bricks with Different

Composition

Amit Kumar1, Rajat Parkash2, R.P. Chauhan2

1Department of Physics, Markanda National College, Shahabad Markanda, Haryana-136135 2Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra-136118

Building materials used in the construction of dwellings are the second major source of indoor

radon after soil. The various characteristics of these materials like density, composition,

porosity, dimension and moisture are important parameters along with radionuclides content.

The measurement of radon exhalation rates from the bricks prepared with different type of

materials like mud, flyash, lime, gypsum and sand with varying proportion are carried out by

active measurement technique. The effect of moisture content, water curing, method of

preparation and firing process is also considered. The results showed that the radon exhalation

rate of the mud bricks decreased on firing on account of variation in porosity. The increase in

radon exhalation rate with flyash is observed for bricks or mortar prepared by normal

procedure, while significant decrease in the radon exhalation rate is observed upon hydraulic

compaction used during production of bricks. The increase in the percentage of lime and

gypsum also caused decrease in the radon flux from the bricks. The radium content of the sand

and flyash play important role in exhalation rate of the brick prepared by normal procedure but

79

its effect become neutralized upon compaction. The work proposes the use of flyash bricks in

construction as no significant level of indoor radon exhalation rate is expected in dwelling

consisting of compacted flyash bricks.

O74

Chemotoxicity and Radiotoxicity Risk Assessment from Exposure to

Uranium in Drinking Water of Noida, Uttar Pradesh State, India

Narender Chahal1, Lalit Kumar Saini1, Amanjeet2, Rekha2, Ranjeet Dalal2,

Suneel Kumar3, Balvinder Singh2, Navish Kataria4

1Department of Applied Physics, SVNIT, Surat, Gujrat, India-395007 2Department of Physics, Guru Jambheswar University of Science and Technology, Hisar,

Haryana, India-125001 3Department of Physics, Central University of Haryana, Mahendegargh, Haryana

India-123031 4Department of Environmental Science, J.C. Bose, University of Science and Technology,

YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana, India-121006

Quality of drinking water is associated directly with the health of mass population. Therefore,

study on radiation level in groundwater has been taken up Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Uranium

concentration has been measured in drinking water samples collected from sources such as

hand pump, tube well from different depths of Noida, using LED Fluorimetry Technique. The

average value of uranium concentration is observed to be within the safe limit recommended

by World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The

annual effective dose has also been measured in all the water samples and is found to be below

the prescribed dose limit of 100 μSvy−1 recommended by WHO, 2011. Risk assessment of

uranium in water is also calculated using life time cancer risk, life time average daily dose and

hazard quotient. The high uranium concentration observed in certain areas is due to interaction

of ground water with the soil formation of this region and the local subsurface geology of the

region.

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O75

Impact of Attached, Unattached Fraction of Radon, Thoron and Their

Daughter Element and its Seasonal Variability in Doon-valley along the

Main Boundary Thrust region

Tushar Kandari1, A.A. Bourai2, R.C. Ramola3

1Department of Physics, Govt. P.G. College Gopeshwar, Chamoli 2Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badhshahi Thaul Campus


The present study was based on a preliminary experimental study, which measures indoor

accumulated radon, thoron and their progeny concentration in the nearby region of Doon-valley

located in the lesser Himalaya region, Uttarakhand, India. The sampling site was chosen due

to its geological importance and secondly, the valley is present over and around the Main

Boundary Thrust Region. For the measurement of radon and thoron concentration, single entry

twin cup Pin-hole dosimeter were used while for the measurement of progeny concentration,

deposition based DTPS/DRPS detectors were deployed in the indoor environment. Solid state

nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) based LR-115 detectors were widely used for the time

integrated measurement due to their cost effectiveness, portability and easy-to-use feature. The

Average radon concentration (ARC), indoor effective dose (IED) due to radon, thoron and their

progeny concentration was measured seasonally and thereafter an annual study was carried out.

The annual average radon and thoron concentration was 94.2 Bq/m3 and 37.9 Bq/m3

respectively. The indoor effective doses were calculated considering a dosimetric approach for

the room occupation schedule, which concludes that the houses were above occupational dose

limit of 1 mSv/year [1]. The results obtained and the implications will be discussed in details.

O76

Radon Exposure Dose Assessment using CFD Modeling, Active and Passive

Measurement Techniques

Neetika Chauhan, Rajat Parkash, R.P. Chauhan

Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra-136119, India

CFD simulated results of indoor radon dispersion pattern under different living and

environmental conditions show variability in radon concentration levels. The simulated results

show the dependability of radon dispersion pattern in indoor environment on several factors.

The assessment of average annual effective dose due to radon and its decay products can be

done using indoor radon concentration and indoor equilibrium factor (UNSCEAR, 2000). The

assessment of equilibrium equivalent concentration (EEC) of radon and annual effective dose

due to indoor radon and its decay products are computed in the present study. The variability

in the distribution pattern is discussed as the function of living condition (close and open room),

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969806X17305029#bib25

81

horizontal and vertical location of point of interest and the type of technique used for the

assessment. For close room condition the annual average 222RnEEC is found to be 8.323.Bq m,

9.44±3.2 3.Bq m and 11.2±1.76

3.Bq m from the CFD simulated results, active and passive

measurement techniques respectively with the average of 9.65±2.4 3.Bq m.For the open room

condition the 222RnEEC values are 5.23.Bq m, 6.4±2.8

3.Bq m, 5.36±1.04

3.Bq m from the CFD

results, active and passive measurement results respectively with the average of 5.65±1.923.Bq m. The annual average 222RnEEC including close and open room condition is found to be

7.65±2.23.Bq m.Annual effective dose are found to be 0.55 mSv, 0.62±.21 mSv, 0.74±0.12

mSv from the CFD results, active and passive measurement results respectively for the close

room condition. The values found to be 0.34 mSv, 0.42±.18 mSv, 0.35±0.07 mSv for three

different techniques respectively for open room condition.

O77

Health Hazards and Risk Assessment from Heavy Metals in Drinking

Water of Bathinda and Mansa Districts of Punjab (India)

Pargin Bangotra1, Manish Sharma1, Rohit Mehra2, Mukesh Prasad3

1Atmospheric Research Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda

University, Greater Noida, India 2Department of Physics, Dr. B.R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Punjab, India.

3Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badhshahi Thaul Campus


Out of various exposure routes, drinking water is the foremost track for heavy metals to get

inside the human body. This study summarize the health risk assessment in the drinking water

from selected heavy metals as Cu, Co, Hg, Mn, Pb, Cd, As and Ce. The present study depicts

the heavy metal concentration in water samples of Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab

(India). The water samples (40 locations) were collected from different houses. Inductive

Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) technique was used to estimate the heavy metal

concentration from water samples. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to determine the

heavy metals from different sources. From a health prospective point of view, Inhalation,

ingestion and dermal doses along with carcinogenic and non- carcinogenic risk have been

estimated from heavy metals data. Moreover, robust statistical tools have been used to estimate

the correlation among heavy metals and their variation according to different sources.

82

O78

Variation of Radon Concentration, Gaseous Pollutants and the Influence of

Meteorological Parameters: A Review

Alok Sagar Gautam1, Sanjeev Kumar1, Abhishek Joshi1, Karan Singh1,

R.C.Ramola1

1Dept. of Physics, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

Srinagar (Garhwal) - 246174 Uttarakhand, India

The meteorological parameters (MP)s are a very important parameter to understand the

variation of radon concentration in the indoor and outdoor air environment. During the low

turbulent air exchange, especially in the night and early morning hours (night inversion layer)

radon showed a pronounced maximum. Whereas, Cloudy and windy weather conditions yield

a small diurnal variation of the radon concentration (Porstendorfer et al., 1994). Based on long-

term radon monitoring it was found that ambient temperature and pressure have different

impacts on radon transportation as well as significantly influenced the diurnal, intra-seasonal

and seasonal variations of radon in the Amram tunnel and Gevanim valley, Israel (Zafrir et al.,

2013). To identify the temporal variation trend of radon and gaseous pollutants (Bu et al.,

2017) measured the real-time radon and gaseous pollutants (SO2, CO, O3,) over the Gosan

station, Republic of Korea during the year 2013-2014 and found mean radon and SO2, CO, O3

concentration as 2216 ±1100 mBq/m3, 0.6±0.7 ppb, 211.6±102.0 ppb, and 43.0±17.0 ppb,

respectively. The correlation between ground-level ozone, concentration radon concentration,

metrological parameters and Ultra Violate (UV) radiation intensity was examined by (Jasaitis

et al., 2016) at Eastern Coast of the Baltic Sea. A significant correlation between the UVB

radiation intensity and ground-level ozone concentration was found (r = 0.52) due to

photochemical ozone production. Also, found an inverse correlated between the radon

concentration and the vertical mixing layer height. Whereas, (Sharma et al., 2000) obtained

that the radon concentration is positively correlated with temperature, relative humidity and

mild rainfall and it was inversely correlated with a evaporation, wind velocity and heavy

rainfall over Palampur, Himachal Pradesh during March 1993 to March 1995.

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