Abstract
The distributions of naturally occurring radionuclides 232Th, 238U and 40K in carbonatite rocks from Oldoinyo Lengai region, Tanzania were determined. The Hyper-pure Germanium (HPGe) detector based on gamma spectroscopy located at Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) in Arusha was used in order to assess the radiological health hazards associated with the use of carbonatite rocks. The mean activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were found to be 51.75 Bq/kg, 46.38 Bq/kg and 966.56 Bq/kg respectively. The results of mean activity concentration together with radiological hazard indices obtained in this study were all higher than their worldwide maximum recommended limits. This indicates that there exist radiation risks within the vicinity of carbonatite deposits in Oldoinyo Lengai. The region is known to be subjected to environmental degradations due to volcanic activities. Therefore, findings in this study could also serve as an important radiometric baseline data upon which future epidemiological studies and environmental monitoring initiatives could be based.
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