PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 size fraction distribution under steady-state conditions in a walk-in type 222Rn calibration chamber facility.

Attachment of 222Rn progenies, upon their formation, to the atmospheric aerosols and inhalation of these radioactive aerosols causes inhalation dose to the human being. Aerosols have the characteristics of small particle size, long-time suspension and long-distance transmission and easy access to the deep respiratory tract. Aerosols are responsible for viral infection risk such as the recent worldwide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19).

Revealing the Structural Organization of Gamma-irradiated Starch Granules Using Polarization-resolved Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy.

Starch is a semi-crystalline macromolecule with the presence of amorphous and crystalline components. The amorphous amylose and crystalline amylopectin regions in starch granules are susceptible to certain physical modifications, such as gamma irradiation. Polarization-resolved second harmonic generation (P-SHG) microscopy in conjunction with SHG-circular dichroism (CD) was used to assess the three-dimensional molecular order and inherent chirality of starch granules and their reaction to different dosages of gamma irradiation.

Development of a "Rn incremented method" for the rapid determination of air exchange rate using soil gas.

The air exchange rate (AER) is a critical parameter that governs the levels of exposure to indoor pollutants impacting occupants' health. It has been recognized as a crucial metric in spreading COVID-19 disease through airborne routes in shared indoor spaces. Assessing the AER in various human habitations is essential to combat such detrimental exposures.

Quantification of excess Carbon-14 specific activity in terrestrial biota in the off-site locations of the PHWR nuclear power plant at Kaiga, India.

This is the first detailed study on C activity in the environment surrounding a nuclear facility in India. Samples of food matrices and wild plants from the off-site locations of the PHWR nuclear power plant (NPP) at Kaiga were analysed by liquid scintillation spectrometry, results were validated by accelerator mass spectrometry, and an extensive database (N = 142) was established. The stable isotope ratio of carbon (δC) in terrestrial plants varied from -33.