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In view of the dispersible nature of the radiologically significant gaseous radon (222Rn) and its dependence on metrological variables, an investigation was carried out in the uranium mineralized region of Jaduguda. Two distinct locations, comprising of prototype dwellings and outdoor environment outside the dwellings were chosen for the comparative study. The investigation was carried out during monsoon, autumn and winter seasons so that a profile ranging from minima to maxima can be accounted. Along with the 222Rn concentration profile and gamma level, the metrological variables such as ambient temperature, pressure, relative humidity has also been investigated. Results of sixty six (66) outdoor and thirty nine (39) dwellings monitoring was found to have 222Rn concentration ranged from 9 to 68 Bq m−3 and 35 to 130 Bq m−3, respectively, in outdoor and indoor with corresponding average value of 222Rn concentration were found 34 ± 13 and 79 ± 24 Bq m−3, respectively. These values are well within the expected range of a uranium mineralized area. Also, the outdoor 222Rn activity concentration is about 43% of the indoor 222Rn activity concentration, which can be attributed to greater atmospheric dilution and related metrological variables like higher temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground uranium mines, in particular, is associated with radiological conditions normally not anticipated in other mining industries. Depending on the grade and characteristics of the uranium deposit, the radiological hazard considerations may widely vary. Although short lived radon progeny are the major contributor of individual dose to the miners, dose assessment using their activity concentration data is normally avoided. Mine dust, diesel fumes, high humidity and seepage from the surrounding surface poses additional difficulty in direct estimation of radon progeny activity concentration. Individual doses are computed through radon (222Rn) monitoring data and equilibrium ratio (F) between radon and its short lived progeny. Both ambient and passive techniques are used in Indian uranium mines for the dose assessment but the passive technique is preferred over the ambient as the later can explicitly account the individual worker during its uses. The device, Personal Radon Dosimeter (PRD), based on nuclear track registry on a LR-115 Kotak film has indigenously been designed after detailed scientific studies. Basic features of this device, their uses, track registry and calibration aspects along with dose assessment methodology of uranium miners are provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gases from the breath exhalation can be used for the detection and estimation of associated contaminant in the human body. For the estimation of 226Ra body burden through the analyses of radon (222Rn) in the exhaled breath, similar technique has been considered for uranium miners in India. Initial experiments for Jaduguda underground uranium mine workers were based on qualitative approach due to the limitations of the sensitivity of the then available techniques. The inert gas 222Rn after its formation is soluble in the blood, may escape from the human body like other dissolved gases at lung/blood interface which can be removed through exhalation. Using a sensitive device that can effectively analyze the low activity concentration of radon, 226Ra body burden of the uranium miner can be estimated. The working principle, description and utility of the device as well as estimated 226Ra body burden are provided in the paper. Examination results of 244 subjects of uranium mines have shown a variation in the radium (226Ra) body burden from 0.54 to 3.75 kBq. The inexpensive technique can effectively be used in the field conditions due to high sensitivity, portability, low sampling time and minimal instrumentation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of business have been altered as a result of modern marketing. Consumers are acquiring more information, but at the same time the market is getting more saturated with competitors. Every day, markets must confront new problems and experiment with different tactics in order to expand their sphere of influence. Because urban markets are reaching their capacity, businesses are being compelled to investigate rural areas, which offer the possibility of significant growth. More so than urban markets, the growth of rural markets has been consistent throughout the course of the previous several years. The vast majority of Indians, as a rule, like fresh food items, and as a result, they tend to buy relatively little amounts of food more often. This stands in stark contrast to the situation in the majority of western countries, where it is becoming more standard practice to buy food in bulk and store it for a comparatively longer amount of time. In point of fact, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is primarily the responsibility of the market's end users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]