Amit Sarin

Radon and uranium concentrations in drinking water sources along the fault line passing through Reasi district, lesser Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir State, India

ABSTRACT The presence of radon in drinking water causes radiation-related health hazards both through inhalation and ingestion. In the present study, 28 drinking water samples from natural flowing springs, freshwater ponds, and deep hand pumps were analyzed in the fault zone of Reasi region of Jammu & Kashmir. Radon measurement was performed using the RAD7 electronic device for radon content determination. Average mean values of these samples vary from 2.80 ± 0.78 to 74.37 ± 2.76 Bq l−1. Nineteen drinking water samples analyzed have radon levels in excess of USEPA recommended maximum contamination level of 11.1 Bq l−1. The annual effective dose from radon in water due to its ingestion and inhalation per individual has also been calculated. Uranium concentration in these water samples was also analyzed for a possible correlation between different types of rocks and values of radon in water. Results obtained have been compared with the results of earlier investigators for mean radon concentration and mean annual effective dose for radon in water from different regions of northern India and Pakistan. It has been found that radon levels in a significant number of water samples collected from the region of fault line are higher than USEPA recommendations. A positive correlation is observed between the depth of the water source and the values of radon levels in water samples collected from these sources. Measurements of radon concentration in these water samples were also performed with a Smart Radon Monitor designed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India, for a comparative analysis.

Radon/thoron and progeny levels in dwellings: Regional variations and effect of dwelling characteristics – A case study in Jalandhar district of Punjab, India:

An extensive survey to measure natural radioactivity in human environment in Jalandhar district of Punjab was undertaken. Results of measurements of indoor radon/thoron and their progeny concentrations are being presented here. Single-entry, pin-hole dosemeters were used for the measurement of radon/thoron concentrations. Deposition-based direct radon/thoron progeny sensors were used for measurement of progeny concentrations. The results have been analysed on the basis of regional characteristics, type of construction and building material used. The radon concentration was found to vary from 6.64 ± 1.72 Bq/m3 to 47.18 ± 4.43 Bq/m3 with geometric mean value of 17.9 ± 2.91 Bq/m3 while the thoron concentration varies from 7.75 ± 2.54 Bq/m3 to 82.68 ± 8.33 Bq/m3 with geometric mean value of 33.54 ± 5.09 Bq/m3. The geometric mean value of equilibrium factor for indoor radon and thoron was found to be 0.43 and 0.02, respectively. The estimated annual inhalation dose varies from 0.22 mSv to 1.76 mSv with geometric mean value of 0.66 mSv. Correlation of indoor radon and air gamma dose rate was also studied.

Prediction of indoor radon/thoron concentration in a model room from exhalation rates of building materials for different ventilation rates

AbstractStudies have confirmed that elevated levels of radon/thoron in the human–environments can substantially increase the risk of lung cancer in general population. The building materials are the second largest contributors to indoor radon/thoron after soil and bedrock beneath dwellings. In present investigation, the exhalation rates of radon/thoron from different building materials samples have been analysed using active technique. Radon/thoron concentrations in a model room have been predicted based on the exhalation rates from walls, floor and roof. The indoor concentrations show significant variations depending upon the ventilation rate and type of building materials used.

Measurement of uranium and radon concentration in drinking water samples and assessment of ingestion dose to local population in Jalandhar district of Punjab, India

A study was conducted to assess the concentration of uranium and dissolved radon in drinking water samples collected from Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. The samples were analysed for dissolved radon using scintillation cell method. Laser fluorimetry was used for measurement of uranium concentration. Correlation analysis of radon and uranium concentrations and salinity and total dissolved solids with uranium was carried out. The uranium concentration in water samples varied from a minimum value of 1.53 ± 0.06 mg m−3 to 50.2 ± 0.08 mg m−3 with a geometric mean value of 14.85 mg m−3. The radon concentration in water varied from a minimum value of 0.34 ± 0.07 kBq m−3 to a maximum value of 3.84 ± 0.48 kBq m−3 with a geometric mean value of 1.46 kBq m−3. Ingestion dose to local population, due to radon and uranium in drinking water, for different age categories, was computed and results are being reported in this paper.

Prospects of Tectona Grandis as a Feedstock for Biodiesel

The limited availability of fossil fuels has encouraged the need of replacement fuels of renewable nature. Among the renewable fuels, biodiesel that produced from oil seeds and food wastes has been favored by the majority of researchers. In this study, Tectona Grandis seed oil has been investigated as a non edible feedstock for biodiesel. The oil content of seed is 43% which makes it suitable for commercial production of biodiesel. The production of biodiesel from Tectona Grandis oil was done with transesterification reaction giving high percentage yield of biodiesel which reached to 89%. The Tectona Grandis biodiesel was subjected to determine various physicochemical parameters by standard testing methods and found in agreement with the ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standards. The fatty acid methyl ester composition for the biodiesel is composed of 42.71% oleic acid, 13.1% palmitic acid and 31.51 % linoleic acid.. The biodiesel showed low oxidation stability which is attributed to high percentage of unsaturation. To address this issue, synthetic antioxidants were added to increase its resistance towards oxidation. By considering all the parameters, present study reveals that the Tectona Grandis seed oil is reliable for the production of biodiesel with encouraging probability in future.