Variation of indoor radon concentrations in two-storey houses in Nowshera District, Pakistan

Abstract

A study was performed for the measurement of indoor radon concentration in two-storey houses in district Nowshera in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This area was not previously surveyed for such kind of study. The aim was to find some correlation of radon levels in first and second storey houses in the area. The measurements were carried out for 1 y from 1 December 2012 to 30 November 2013 using CR-39 detector. The area was divided into four parts, namely, Jhangera, Nowshera city, Akora Khattak and Pabbi. In the first storey houses, radon concentration ranged from 29 to 103 Bq m(-3) with the mean value of 64 ± 12 Bq m(-3) and that in the second storey houses ranged from 25 to 92 Bq m(-3) with the mean value of 56 ± 11 Bq m(-3). Relatively higher values of indoor radon levels in the first stories than the second stories were observed in all four parts of the study area. The effective doses received by the residents of the area were estimated for each part. The mean annual effective doses received by the inhabitants of the area from indoor radon ranged from 0.68 to 2.88 mSv with the mean value of 1.68 ± 0.32 mSv. The doses received by the people of the area were within the ICRP-65 recommended range (3-10 mSv).