Indoor radon levels in urban Hyderabad area, Andhra Pradesh, India

Indoor radon levels in urban areas of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India were measured by a time integrated method using solid state nuclear track detector-based dosemeters. Results show that the radon levels varied widely in the area ranging from 17 to 311 Bq m(-3) with a geometric mean value of 52.8 Bq m(-3) (GSD = 1.7). Cumulative frequency distribution of radon levels gave a best fit on a log-normal scale. Measurements were carried out for 1 y, segregating the measurement periods in accordance with seasonal changes. Soil samples from the region were also analysed for natural radionuclides to study its effect, if any, on indoor radon levels. Dwellings categorised based on construction types showed that the average radon levels in the order tiles (TLE) > asbestos (ASB) > concrete (RCC) for the roof structures. The estimated radon levels in the study area are relatively higher than the country's average value of 23 Bq m(-3) and global average value of 30 Bq m(-3).