Abstract

Radon levels have been measured in houses at ten different locations of Bangalore City, India. The study was focused on the basis of quality of construction, age of building and room volume. Solid state nuclear track detectors were used for measuring the concentrations. The average spatial values of ²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn concentrations were found to be 33.4 ± 6.1 and 21.6 ± 2.5 Bqm^-3, respectively. However, the volumetric concentrations were ranged between 4.0 and 93.0 Bqm^-3. The annual dose rate due to²²²Rn, ²²⁰Rn and their progenies for the population in the studied location ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 mSvy^-1. It is alarming that the dwellers of lower volumes receive a relatively higher dose rate and the result shows significant radiological risk. The magnitude and its effects of doses are discussed in detail.

Key words: Radon, dwellings, volume, dose rates.