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Shelley A, Ovi MH, Alam MS. Assessment of radioactivity level and associated radiological hazard in riverbed samples within industrial areas. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2024; 60:213-225. [PMID: 38372986 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2024.2317391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Terrestrial gamma radiation is one of the major outdoor radiation exposures to the general public that varies substantially based on the type and geological properties of the soil. The objective of this study is to evaluate the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) distribution and assess the hazard parameters in the riverbank soil within various industrial zones in the densely populated Dhaka and Chattogram cities of Bangladesh. The mean activities of 226Ra (37 ± 3), 232Th (58 ± 4), and 40K (1129 ± 18) Bqkg-1 in the assessed soil samples were found to be slightly higher than the world average values 32, 35, and 420 Bqkg-1, respectively. The mean radium equivalent activity (207.49 Bqkg-1) and the external and internal hazard indices were within the recommended limits of 370 Bqkg-1 and <1, respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate (99.47 nGyhr-1), annual effective dose (0.12 mSva-1), ELCR (4.27 × 10-4), and gamma level index (1.58) exceeded the world average values 59 nGyhr-1, 0.07 mSva-1, 2.9 × 10-4, and 1 respectively. However, the studied areas are safe from a radiological viewpoint with no radiation health hazard to the people. The results of this study can be utilized to produce factual baseline data for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afroza Shelley
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmud Hasan Ovi
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Patni K, Pande AP, Jindal MK, Joshi T. Gamma radiation dose rate in high-altitude areas in the Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand, India. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:8119-8133. [PMID: 37540337 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01714-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Radiation has a deteriorating effect on humans as well as on the environment depending on its level, although we have all been exposed to natural gamma radiation from birth. The presence of radionuclides in rocks, soil, plants, and water is a major factor behind the natural gamma radiation. The present study deals with the study of natural gamma radiation at Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand. It also consists of seasonal variations in gamma radiation and its relationship with altitude and geology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of altitude and geology on natural gamma radiation dose rate data in high-altitude areas of India. The highest gamma radiation value was 444 nSv/h in the summer and 342 nSv/h in the winter. The investigation recorded the gamma radiation up to 2542.20 m altitude, indicating that the geology of the areas is more relevant than the altitude. Few sites in such a high-altitude zone were found to exceed the value of 200 nSv/h, as reported by UNSCEAR. This research is necessary in order to consider the human health and climate changes, both of which are part of the action plan for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, SDG 13).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Patni
- School of Allied Sciences, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal Campus, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ashutosh Pratap Pande
- Department of Chemistry, Laxman Singh Mahar Government Post Graduate College, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Jindal
- Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
| | - Tanuj Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bhimtal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
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Ryngnga JT, Jyrwa BM, Nandy M, Saxena A. NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND ASSESSMENT OF HAZARD INDICES OF THE SOIL FOUND AT SUNG VALLEY, MEGHALAYA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2023; 199:623-630. [PMID: 36928324 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the variation of the radioactivity at different depth of the soil found at the Sung Valley in West Jaiñtia Hills District of Meghalaya in India is estimated by using the gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for soil samples at different depths are measured to be 57, 156 and 352 Bq kg-1, respectively. The radiological hazard indices for the soil samples are calculated using standard models in order to determine the safe utility of these materials that are being used to manufacture domestic products by the locals. Values of all the radiological hazard indices are observed to be within the internationally recommended values as proposed by the European Commission and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. The present study ensures that the soil analysed presents a negligible radiation hazard, and produced poetries and artefacts radiological incidence will stay within the allowed natural limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie T Ryngnga
- Department of Physics, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793200, India
| | - B M Jyrwa
- Department of Physics, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793200, India
| | - Maitreyee Nandy
- Nuclear Chemistry Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Calcutta 700064, India
| | - Atul Saxena
- Department of Physics, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793200, India
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Measurement of natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment in the soil samples of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. J INDIAN CHEM SOC 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2022.100856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Determination of Activity Concentration of Natural Radionuclides and Radiation Hazards' Assessment of Building Materials in High Background Radiation Areas of Homa and Ruri, Kenya. ScientificWorldJournal 2021; 2021:9978619. [PMID: 34949965 PMCID: PMC8692042 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9978619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The areas around Homa and Ruri hills in Homa Bay County in Kenya are associated with high background radiation levels. The activity concentration of the natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) in earthen building materials used in the areas of Homa and Ruri hills has been measured using a NaI (Tl) detector in this work. The measured values of radioactivity concentrations are used to estimate the associated radiological risk. The earthen building material samples from Ruri registered relatively high 232Th concentration values averaging 1094 ± 55 Bq/kg, nearly three times those of the samples from Homa. 226Ra level was not significantly different in both regions with Homa reporting 129 ± 10 Bq/kg and Ruri 111 ± 6 Bq/kg. 40K was however higher in the samples from Homa by an approximate factor of 2 relative to those from Ruri where the activity concentration was 489 ± 24 Bq/kg. The radium equivalents for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the samples from Ruri were 111 ± 9, 1564 ± 125, and 38 ± 3 Bq/kg, while in Homa, the values were 129 ± 10, 570 ± 46, and 69 ± 5 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated value of total radium equivalent in Ruri was 1713 ± 137 Bq/kg which was two times higher than that of Homa. 232Th contributed about 74% and 91% to the total radium equivalent in Homa and Ruri, respectively; thus, it was the one with the largest contribution to radiation exposure in both regions. The average indoor annual effective dose rates were 1.74 ± 0.14 and 3.78 ± 0.30 mSv/y in Homa and Ruri, respectively, both of which were above the recommended safety limit of 1 mSv/y.
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Warnakulasuriya T, Williams S, Weerakkody T, Dabarera M, Rodrigo K, Waduge VA, Ediriweera D, Siriwardena N, Wickremasinghe R. BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS NEAR A MINERAL SAND MINING FACTORY IN SRI LANKA: CORRELATION OF RADIATION MEASUREMENTS WITH MICRONUCLEI FREQUENCY. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 189:114-126. [PMID: 32090241 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (LMS) is a company operating in Pulmoddai, Sri Lanka, mining for rare earth minerals along with monazite which contains thorium that emits ionizing gamma and alpha radiation on decay. The objective of the study was to determine the background radiation levels and selected radionuclides and then to correlate these levels with the frequency of micronuclei (MN) among persons residing in the vicinity of LMS. A cross-sectional study was conducted among persons of both sexes between 35 and 45 years of age residing in the vicinity of LMS. Background radiation measurements were obtained by a survey metre, and gamma spectrometry was done on soil samples. Five millilitres of venous blood was drawn for cytokinesis-blocked MN assay. Background radiation levels measured by the survey metre; 232Th, 226Ra and 210Pb mass activities in soil were highest in the samples collected from the LMS. The background radiation measurements positively correlated with MN frequency although the magnitude of the correlation was small (r = 0.176, p = 0.04). This implies that chronic long-term exposure to low-dose radiation may result in genotoxicity. Prospective large-scale studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term effect of exposure to low-dose radiation at Pulmoddai.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Warnakulasuriya
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Senani Williams
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Thiwanka Weerakkody
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Mangala Dabarera
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Kusum Rodrigo
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Dileepa Ediriweera
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Health Informatics, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Rajitha Wickremasinghe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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Zubair M. Measurement of natural radioactivity in several sandy-loamy soil samples from Sijua, Dhanbad, India. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03430. [PMID: 32154406 PMCID: PMC7056655 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples collected from Sijua Dhanbad, India were measured by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with a NaI(Tl) detector. The average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found as 60.3, 64.5 and 481.0 Bq. kg−1, respectively. Average radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, outdoor dose, external hazard index and internal hazard index for the area under study is determined as 189.5 Bq. kg−1, 87.2 nGy h−1, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mSv. y−1, respectively. The annual effective dose to the general public is found 0.4 mSv. y−1. This value lies well below the limit of 1 mSv. y−1. Measured values have found safe for the environment and public health of the study area.
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Bramha SN, Krishnan H, Subramanian V, Baskaran R, Venkatraman B. BASELINE EVALUATION STUDY OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM VICINITY OF INDIA'S FIRST FAST REACTOR FUEL CYCLE FACILITY (FRFCF), DAE COMPLEX, KALPAKKAM, INDIA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 185:87-95. [PMID: 30561717 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K were measured in the soil samples collected from Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) site, using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. This study is aimed to establish the baseline data of naturally occurring radionuclides within the site. The average activity concentrations were found to be 416.5, 61.7 and 622.3 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively. The activity concentrations and its radiological indices were evaluated and were compared with the international values reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The ratio of 40K/232Th and 40K /238U were calculated, which indicates the presence of 5.79 and 2.69 times more K-bearing minerals as compared with Th and U-bearing minerals in the soil samples, respectively. The study provides baseline information on concentration of radionuclides and background radiological assessment of the FRFCF site.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Bramha
- Health, Safety and Environment Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - H Krishnan
- Health, Safety and Environment Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Subramanian
- Health, Safety and Environment Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Baskaran
- Health, Safety and Environment Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - B Venkatraman
- Health, Safety and Environment Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
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Bramha S, Sahoo SK, Subramanian V, Venkatraman B, Rath P. Application of multivariate technique to evaluate spatial distribution of natural radionuclides along Tamil Nadu coastline, east coast of India. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-019-0716-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Sankaran Pillai G, Chandrasekaran S, Sivasubramanian K, Baskaran R, Venkatraman B. A REVIEW ON VARIATION OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF TAMIL NADU FOR THE PAST 4 DECADES (1974-2016). RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 179:125-135. [PMID: 29069491 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This review deals with natural radioactivity variation along the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu for the past four decades (1974-2016). About 40 research works have been conducted along the coast since 1974 in various environmental matrices using a variety of experimental methods. For these measurements researchers are adopted different experimental methods. The measured gamma dose rate ranged from 30 to 8700 nGy/h. The mean specific activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K was found to be 58.8 ± 28.7, 465.2 ± 147.3 and 311.2 ± 27.8 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated annual exposure rate ranged from 0.29 to 12.8 mSv/y with the mean value of 3.7 mSv/y which is above the global average of 2.4 mSv/y as reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (Report to General Assembly, Annex B Exposures of the public and workers from various sources of radiation. United Nations, New York (2008)). Plant food items recorded low 210Po activities as compared to seafood organisms. Grain size, season and place of sampling have a decisive bearing on coastal radioactivity. Therefore, it is concluded from the review data that there is an appreciable elevation in background radiation level in the coastal region. This review suggests that new radiological surveys using improved methodology that cover the entire coastal stretch are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sankaran Pillai
- Radiological Safety Division (RSD), Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Chandrasekaran
- Radiological Safety Division (RSD), Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Sivasubramanian
- Radiological Safety Division (RSD), Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Baskaran
- Radiological Safety Division (RSD), Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - B Venkatraman
- Radiological Safety Division (RSD), Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India
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Srinivas D, Ramesh Babu V, Patra I, Tripathi S, Ramayya MS, Chaturvedi AK. Assessment of background gamma radiation levels using airborne gamma ray spectrometer data over uranium deposits, Cuddapah Basin, India - A comparative study of dose rates estimated by AGRS and PGRS. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 167:1-12. [PMID: 27914775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has conducted high-resolution airborne gamma ray spectrometer (AGRS), magnetometer and time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys for uranium exploration, along the northern margins of Cuddapah Basin. The survey area includes well known uranium deposits such as Lambapur-Peddagattu, Chitrial and Koppunuru. The AGRS data collected for uranium exploration is utilised for estimating the average absorbed rates in air due to radio-elemental (potassium in %, uranium and thorium in ppm) distribution over these known deposit areas. Further, portable gamma ray spectrometer (PGRS) was used to acquire data over two nearby locations one from Lambapur deposit, and the other from known anomalous zone and subsequently average gamma dose rates were estimated. Representative in-situ rock samples were also collected from these two areas and subjected to radio-elemental concentration analysis by gamma ray spectrometer (GRS) in the laboratory and then dose rates were estimated. Analyses of these three sets of results complement one another, thereby providing a comprehensive picture of the radiation environment over these deposits. The average absorbed area wise dose rate level is estimated to be 130 ± 47 nGy h-1 in Lambapur-Peddagattu, 186 ± 77 nGy h-1 in Chitrial and 63 ± 22 nGy h-1 in Koppunuru. The obtained average dose levels are found to be higher than the world average value of 54 nGy h-1. The gamma absorbed dose rates in nGy h-1 were converted to annual effective dose rates in mSv y-1 as proposed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The annual average effective dose rates for the entire surveyed area is 0.12 mSv y-1, which is much lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y-1 by International Commission on Radiation protection (ICRP). It may be ascertained here that the present study establishes a reference data set (baseline) in these areas to assess any changes in gamma radiation levels due to mining and milling activities in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Srinivas
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India
| | - V Ramesh Babu
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India.
| | - I Patra
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shailesh Tripathi
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India
| | - M S Ramayya
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India
| | - A K Chaturvedi
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad, India
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Valan II, Maniyarasan S, Mathiyarasu R, Sridhar SGD, Narayanan V, Stephen A. Seasonal observation on radionuclide concentration in Krusadai Island Mangroves, Gulf of Mannar, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4956-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Investigation of background radiation level in Krusadai Island Mangrove, Gulf of Mannar, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3864-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Canbazoğlu C, Turhan Ş, Bakkal S, Uğur F, Gören E. Analysis of gamma emitting radionuclides (terrestrial and anthropogenic) in soil samples from Kilis province in south Anatolia, Turkey. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2013.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Bavarnegin E, Moghaddam MV, Fathabadi N. Natural radionuclide and radiological assessment of building materials in high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran. J Med Phys 2013; 38:93-7. [PMID: 23776313 PMCID: PMC3683307 DOI: 10.4103/0971-6203.111325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Building materials, collected from different sites in Ramsar, a northern coastal city in Iran, were analyzed for their natural radionuclide contents. The measurements were carried out using a high resolution high purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer system. The activity concentration of (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K content varied from below the minimum detection limit up to 86,400 Bqkg(-1), 187 Bqkg(-1), and 1350 Bqkg(-1), respectively. The radiological hazards incurred from the use of these building materials were estimated through various radiation hazard indices. The result of this survey shows that values obtained for some samples are more than the internationally accepted maximum limits and as such, the use of them as a building material pose significant radiation hazard to individuals.
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Tufail M. Radium equivalent activity in the light of UNSCEAR report. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:5663-5667. [PMID: 21915591 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2370-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Radium equivalent activity (Ra ( eq )) has been in practice for the last 40 years for the assessment of radiological hazard of radioactivity in environmental materials. The in-practice model for the calculation of the Ra ( eq ) has been critically reviewed in the light of the UNSCEAR 2000 report. Annual effective dose (E) values of (232)Th and (40)K were found to be not equal to that of (226)Ra derived from the activity concentrations of these radionuclides used in the expression for the Ra ( eq ). Therefore, a modified model has been proposed for the determination of the Ra ( eq ) for outdoor external exposure to gamma rays. The relation between the E and Ra ( eq ) has been explored. It is recommended that while describing the radiological hazard of the materials containing radioactivity, there should be no need to calculate the Ra ( eq ) if the E has already been determined or vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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17
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Babai KS, Poongothai S, Punniyakotti J. Determination of environmental radioactivity (238U, 232Th and 40K) and indoor natural background radiation level in Chennai city (Tamilnadu State), India. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 153:457-466. [PMID: 22847868 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
An extensive study on the determination of the natural radioactivity ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) levels in soil samples of Chennai city, India has been undertaken and the results of the same are compared with the levels reported in other Indian cities as well as other parts of the world. The radioactivity content in the soil samples, the absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, radium equivalent activity, internal and external hazard indices were calculated and compared with UNSCEAR 2000 recommended values. In addition to the above, mapping of indoor natural background gamma radiation levels has been made using thermo luminescent dosemeters throughout Chennai city and the same are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Babai
- Secretary, Meenakshi Sundararajan Engineering College, Chennai, India.
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Wang Z, He J, Du Y, He Y, Li Z, Chen Z, Yang C. Natural and artificial radionuclide measurements and radioactivity assessment of soil samples in eastern Sichuan province (China). RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 150:391-397. [PMID: 22128351 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides were measured in the eastern region of Sichuan province (China). One hundred and ninety-three soil samples from this region were collected and analysed by high-purity germanium gamma spectrometry. The measured results show that the average radioactivity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs in the soil samples are 26, 49, 440 and 6 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The calculated average radium equivalent activity is 130 Bq kg(-1), which is less than the recommended limit of 370 Bq kg(-1). The absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose are 60 nGy h(-1) and 74 µSv, respectively. This is the first time the absorbed dose rate in the east region of Sichuan has been mapped. Overall, the environmental radiation background is greater in the southern part of the area studied than in the northern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghai Wang
- College of Physical Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
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