A multi-pathway assessment in E-Tong, a former tin-mining community on granitic bedrock in Kanchanaburi, covered radon, thoron, gamma radiation, food, and drinking water. The estimated total dose was 2.8 mSv/year, with control-area comparisons indicating geological background rather than residual mining contamination.
Key findings
- Inhalation contributed 0.9 mSv/year, dominated by thoron progeny. Drinking water contributed 0.03 mSv, food 1.47 mSv, including 1.1 mSv from seafood Po-210, and external gamma exposure 0.45 mSv. The 2.8 mSv total was interpreted as consistent with natural background.
Why this matters globally
Radiological surveys often emphasize radon, but in thorium-rich granitic settings, omitting thoron progeny may underestimate inhalation exposure. The integrated approach is relevant to similar communities across Southeast Asia and to the design of multi-pathway monitoring.
Thai researcher contribution
Thailand's Office of Atoms for Peace, Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology collaborated with Hirosaki University, applying radiation, nuclear-engineering, health, and environmental expertise to a Thai community.
Limitations to consider
This is an exposure assessment, not a health-outcome study. Dose estimates depend on consumption, occupancy, and dose-conversion assumptions. One community cannot represent all mining or granitic settings, and classification as natural background does not mean zero risk.