Variation of indoor radon progeny concentration and its role in dose assessment

Instantaneous measurements of equilibrium equivalent concentration of radon (EECRn) were taken over a period of 1 year in 2004 in a typical house at Amritsar city, located in the northwest part of India. A method based on absolute beta counting subsequent to grab aerosol sampling was used. During that year, EECRn varied between 1.56 Bq m−3 and 22.77 Bq m−3 with average value of 8.76 Bq m−3. EECRn decreased with the transition from winter to summer and vice versa, having a negative correlation with outdoor temperature. The use of mechanical ventilation, under normal living conditions during summer, caused an extra decrease in the concentrations. The variations with temperature and mechanical ventilation are discussed. Some major issues related to the uncertainties in dose calculations caused by the lack of knowledge of equilibrium factor and ignoring the effect of life style on the radon and its progeny concentrations are discussed.