Radon study around earthquake affected areas of Nepal

Authors

  • Bipin Rijal Physical Science Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, GPO 3323 Kathmandu
  • Nigam S. Silwal Physical Science Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, GPO 3323 Kathmandu
  • Govinda Chaudhary Department of Physics, Amrit Science Campus, Thamel, Kathmandu
  • Pitamber Shrestha Department of Physics, Amrit Science Campus, Thamel, Kathmandu
  • Buddha R. Shah Physical Science Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5470-3751

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v18i2.29840

Keywords:

Indoor radon, Annual effective dose, Earthquake, LR 115, SSNTD

Abstract

Indoor radon concentrations were measured in dwellings of the earthquake-affected areas of Kathmandu valley, Gorkha, and Sindhupalchowk districts of Nepal using passive radon dosimeter LR115, a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector, SSNTD. The radon concentrations in dwellings of Kathmandu valley ranged from 11±6 Bq/m3 to 135±26 Bq/m3 with a mean of 67.63 Bq/m3. For  Gorkha, it ranged from 18±7 Bq/m3 to 363±65 Bq/m3 with an average of 104.64 Bq/m3 while minimum, maximum and average radon concentrations for Sindhupalchowk were 14±6 Bq/m3, 397±71 Bq/m3, and 78.46 Bq/m3 respectively. The average annual effective dose to the inhabitants of Kathmandu valley, Gorkha, and Sindhupalchowk districts was calculated as 1.46 mSv/y, 2.26 mSv/y, and 1.69 mSv/y respectively. These annual doses were well below the action level of 10 mSv/y recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection which implies no significant radiological health hazards. Also, Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk and Lungs Cancer Cases per year per million people were determined.

BIBECHANA 18 (2) (2021) 61-67

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Author Biography

Buddha R. Shah, Physical Science Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

Senior Scientist, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

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Published

2021-03-13

How to Cite

Rijal, B., Silwal, N. S., Chaudhary, G., Shrestha, P., & Shah, B. R. (2021). Radon study around earthquake affected areas of Nepal. BIBECHANA, 18(2), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v18i2.29840

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Research Articles

License

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