Study finds radioactive gases in abundance near Nalgonda hamlet

Hyderabad: Radioactive gases Radon and Thoron, capable of causing lung cancer and other health hazardous, are found in much higher levels at Buddonithanda, a tribal hamlet which is located near a proposed uranium mining site in Nalgonda. A study by Osmania University Department of Physics Researchers published in ‘Nature’ magazine, revealed that that around nine villages near Chitrial area of Nalgonda have higher levels of the two gases.
Radon and Thoron are found to be 94 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq m3 ) and 121 Bq m3 in the study area.Radon is more than twice the global average of 40 and Thoron is 12 times above the global average of 10. The researches said that the annual average inhalation dose exposure to the two gases to the locals in the investigated area is found to be relatively higher.
One of the researchers and Osmania University registrar, professor Ch Gopal Reddy said, “Atomic Minerals Directorate has found uranium deposits in Chitrial area near Devarakonda. It has been identified as future milling and processing site for uranium fuel.”
“Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) assigned a scientific study to us,” Reddy added. “We have installed Radon and Thoron detectors in the houses of the tribal hamlets and villages around Chitrial. We collected the readings year long. Radon and Thoron are in gaseous form and inhaled by people. They get deposited in the lungs and emit radiation. They cause damage to human cells. If radiation is beyond permissible limits, they are carcinogenic. Human health studies are yet to be done.”
AERB is collecting baseline data for reference. “Chitrial is the continuation of Cuddapah basin. Lambapur and Peddagattu are the other areas with uranium deposits. When we spoke to the villages in the current study area in around nine villages, they didn’t reveal any health impacts so far. But we need to conduct health studies,” Reddy said.
The levels are high in the region due to the decay of uranium and thorium from the rocks underneath the earth. Researchers G Suman, K Vinay Kumar Reddy, M Sreenath Reddy and P Yadagiri Reddy of OU were part of the study.
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad, has conducted several geological studies in the area. “The mining activity may enhance the environmental nuclear radiation levels in the adjoining areas,” researchers said.
Exposure to Radon in workplace and houses increases the risk of developing lung cancer. “Exposure to indoor radon and its isotopes is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking,” the study says.
The concentration of Radon and Thoron inside the houses is majorly determined by the type of material used for construction, lifestyle of dwellers, geology and meteorological conditions of the study area,” the study adds. “The houses are constructed with bricks, stones, mud, dried grass, leaves, and a few are with cement and asbestos. Radiation levels are higher with the houses built with mud.”