INTERNAL EXPOSURE FROM INDOOR RADON, THORON AND THEIR PROGENY IN RESIDENCE AROUND HIGH BACKGROUND RADIATION AREA, PHANG NGA PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract

Abstract A passive integrating discriminative radon-thoron monitor (Raduet) and a radon-thoron progeny monitor with a solid-state nuclear tracking detector were used for estimating indoor radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations in residential areas around the old mines of southern Thailand. Exposure to high background radiation levels from natural 238U and 232Th in the tin mine areas or active fault areas may increase the risk of lung cancer in the respiratory system when considering the health effects of the surrounding inhabitants. In this study, radon thoron and their progeny concentrations from inhalation in the study site have been assessed in dose at volunteer houses to confirm radiation effects. The annual effective doses due to inhalation of radon-thoron, radon progeny and thoron progeny using the ICRP latest dose conversion factors were estimated to be 3.0−4.6, 2.5–3.7 and 0.4–1.0 mSv, respectively, and as 5.9–9.0 mSv in total.