Measurement and mapping of radon exhalation rate around the uranium mines in Sikar, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Humans are exposed to radiation by the emission of radon gas from the soil surrounding them, necessitating the assessment of the radon exhalation levels in soil. The current study measures the radium concentration and radon mass exhalation rate in 34 soil samples obtained from diverse places near the purported uranium reserves in the Sikar districts of Rajasthan state, India. The concentration of radium is measured using the NaI scintillator detector, while the mass exhalation rate of radon is estimated using a smart RnDuo detector. The measured radium content in the soil is between 10.6–47.5 Bq kg⁻¹ with an average value of 21.7 Bq kg⁻¹. With an average value of 20.6 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, the radon mass exhalation rate ranges from 5.7–74.5 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹. A positive correlation is observed between ²²⁶Ra concentration and ²²²Rn mass exhalation rate. This study shows that the soil of this area is safe in terms of radium content and radon mass exhalation rates.