Estimation of indoor radon concentration based on radon flux from soil and groundwater

The indoor radon concentration was estimated based on the radon flux in soil and groundwater. The indoor radon concentration in Budhakedar area of Garhwal Himalaya, India is estimated to be 3.0–131.4 Bq/m3 in summer and 4.6–92.4 Bq/m3 in winter. Based on the available data from study area, the calculated value of diffusion coefficient for the soil ranges from 0.1×10−2 to 3.0×10−2 cm2 s−1 in the summer season and 0.1×10−2 to 0.4×10−2 cm2 s−1 in the winter season. The calculated value of diffusion flux in the study area is found to vary from 0.1×10−2 to 16.1×10−2 Bq m−2 s−1 in summer season and 0.1×10−2–12.2×10−2 Bq m−2 s−1 in winter season. The formulation was tested by comparing the results of radon values from two different seasons of a year.

► The indoor radon concentration was estimated based on the radon flux in soil and groundwater.
► The measured radon value was observed to be higher than the estimated radon value.
► Formulation was tested by comparing the results of radon values from two different seasons.
► Theoretical calculations agree with measured values within the measurement variability.