Measurement of radon mass exhalation and gamma dose rates in the Chakrata region of Garhwal Himalaya, India.

A large amount of the radiation into the environment is contributed through the soil and construction materials by the process of exhalation and emanation. The present study was performed for the mass exhalation rate (using a Scintillation detector) of radon from the collected soil samples in the Chakrata region of the Garhwal Himalaya, India. The outdoor gamma dose rate for all sixty selected locations was also measured. The average mass exhalation and outdoor gamma dose rate were found 14.94 ± 0.38 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 0.16 ± 0.02 µSv h−1, respectively. The obtained results will strengthen the radiological database of the selected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]