Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection 2011 Volume 26, Issue 3, Pages: 218-225
https://doi.org/10.2298/NTRP1103218R
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Estimation of annual effective radon doses and risk of lung cancer in the residents of district Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Rafique Muhammad (Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan)
Rahman Said (SPAS DTE, SUPARCO HQs, Karachi, Pakistan)
Rahman Saeed U. (Department of Medical Physics, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Rathore Mumtaz H. (Department of Medical Physics, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Shahzad Muhammad I. (High Energy Physics Group, Physics Division, Directorate of Science PINSTECH, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Bukhari Shujaht (Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan)
Ali Zulfiqar (Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan)
Waseem Muhammad (Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan)
Rajput Muhammad U. (Physics Division, PINSTECH, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Matiullah (Physics Division, PINSTECH, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Results of indoor radon survey in the dwellings of district Bhimber are
presented. Current study is continuation of our preceding studies aiming to
setup baseline indoor radon data for the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir,
Pakistan. In this context, 60 representative houses were carefully selected
and CN-85 based box type radon detectors were installed in bedrooms and
living rooms of each house. The detectors were exposed to indoor radon for 90
days. After etching CN-85 detectors in 6M NaOH at 70°C for 3 hours, the
observed track densities were related to the indoor radon concentration using
calibration factor of 0.0092 tracks cm2/h per Bq/m3. The measured indoor
radon concentration ranged from 29 ± 11 to 58 ± 8 Bq/m3, 40 ± 9 to 60 ± 7
Bq/m3, and 29 ± 12 to 66 ± 7 Bq/m3 in the regions of Bhimber, Samani, and
Barnala, respectively. Excess relative risk factors were calculated using
measured indoor radon concentrations, by using the risk model reported in
the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI, 1999) report. Excess
relative risk was calculated for age groups of 35 and 55 years. Using local
occupancy factor, average excess lung cancer risk for the population group of
35 and 55 years of age was found to be 0.42 ± 0.09 and 0.34 ± 0.08. The mean
annual effective dose for Bhimber, Samani, and Barnala regions were found to
be 1.05 ± 0.17 mSv, 1.09 ± 0.17 mSv, and 1.16 ± 0.17 mSv, respectively. These
values are within in the safe limits recommended by the international
organizations.
Keywords: CN-85 detector, indoor radon concentration, biological effects of radiations, lung cancer, mean annual effective dose