Passive integrating radon studies for environmental monitoring in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India using solid state nuclear track detectors

Indoor radon studies have been carried out in the environs of some areas of Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India using LR-115 type II plastic track detector. The area is known for uranium mineralization. The work has been undertaken for the health risk assessments. The annual average radon concentration in dwellings in most of the villages falls in the action level recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection. The radon values in some of the dwellings exceed the action level and may be unsafe from the health hazard point of view. The seasonal variations and the contribution of building wall materials to the indoor radon in dwellings are also discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.