Comparative dosimetry for radon and thoron in high background radiation areas in China

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2015 Nov;167(1-3):155-9. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncv235. Epub 2015 May 1.

Abstract

The present study focuses on internal exposure caused by the inhalation of radon and thoron progenies because the internal exposures have not yet been clarified. For their dose assessment, radon, thoron and thoron progeny concentrations were measured by passive monitors over a long period (for 6 months). Consequently, radon, thoron and equilibrium equivalent thoron concentrations were given as 124 ± 78, 1247 ± 1189 and 7.8 ± 9.1 Bq m(-3), respectively. Annual effective doses are estimated to be 3.1 ± 2.0 mSv for radon and 2.2 ± 2.5 mSv for thoron. Total dose are estimated to be 5.3 ± 3.5 mSv a(-1). The present study has revealed that the radon dose was comparable with the thoron dose, and the total dose was ∼2 times higher than the worldwide average.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor
  • Background Radiation*
  • China
  • Humans
  • Radiation Exposure / analysis*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon