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Published on: January 30, 2020
Thoron exposure in the radon-thoron prone area of the Adamawa Region, Cameroon
Soumayah Bachirou1, Saïdou2, Rosaline Mishra3
1Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, PO Box 8580, Douala, Cameroon; Local Material Promotion Authority, PO BOX 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, PO Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Abstract:
The radon-prone area of the Adamawa region is characterized by high radon concentrations, where no low-risk area was observed. This study aims to investigate about indoor thoron concentration in this area, using RADUET detectors, thoron progeny monitors and DTPS/DRPS. The indoor thoron concentration ranged between 17 and 1000 Bq m-3, with an average of 131 Bq m-3. 36% of dwellings have thoron concentration less than 100 Bq m-3 while 28% are above 300 Bq m-3. The thoron equilibrium factor of 0.04 was found to be two times higher than the globally assumed value. Thoron progeny contributes on average to 26% (1.9 mSv y-1) of the total inhalation dose. The excess lifetime cancer risk due to thoron progeny is about 5%. These results justify that thoron cannot be neglected when assessing radiation doses. As only radon is regulated, such study will contribute to accelerate the regulation on thoron.
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