Measurement of radium concentration and radon exhalation rates of soil samples collected from some areas of Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India using plastic track detectors

Background: Radon is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas and it is the first cause of lung cancer among non- smokers. The assessment of the level of radium in building materials helps in under- standing the radiological implications. It has been observed that everyone has some levels of exposure to them. Therefore measurement of radium and radon in the soil samples are important from public health point of view. Materials and Methods: In the present work, radon exhalation rate and radium from soil samples have been measured through Sealed Can technique using LR-115 type II plastic track detector. Twenty two samples were collected from industrial area of Bulandshahr, Hapur and Meerut districts of Uttar Pradesh (India). Results: The radium concentration ranges from 9.2 to 18.7 Bqkg-1 with an average value of 14.1 Bqkg-1. The area exhalation rate for radon ranges from 394.1 to 798.3 mBqm-2 h- 1 with an average value of 600.7 mBqm-2 h-1 and mass exhalation rate ranges from 15.1 to 30.7 mBqkg-1h-1 with an average value of 23.1 mBqkg-1h-1. A strong correlation coefficient has been observed between radium concentration and radon exhalation rate. Conclusion: The values of radium concentration in all the soil samples were found to be lower than the limit 370 Bqkg-1 as recommended by OECD, 1979. Hence, there is no matter of concern to the population living in this region.