Biological risk assessment resulting from terrestrial radionuclides in Iran

Abstract

Background: A large part of total dose resulted from the natural sources is due to the environmental radionuclides such as 238 Th and 238 U decay chain and 137 Cs and 40 K radioisotopes. Given the importance of identifying environmental pollutants and protection against them. Materials and Methods: In this study, the activity of the terrestrial radionuclides was analyzed in different parts of Iran, and their biological risk was reviewed using parameters presented by international organizations such as United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Effective dose equivalent map resulting from Iranian terrestrial radionuclides was prepared by using of ArcGIS software and Inverse Distance Weight method. Findings: West of Mazandaran Province, especially the Ramsar region and Villadareh village in the Ardabil Province are reported critical based on standards, and there is need to additional studies to or not to carry out environmental measurements in these areas.