Values Of Annual Effective Dose Research Articles

The correlation between indoor and soil gas radon concentrations in Kiraz district, İzmir.

All humans are exposed to radon, the primary source of natural radiation, which can harm people due to natural processes rather than human activity. Thus, it is of significant importance to determine the levels of radon in indoor, soil gas, water, and outdoors. Radon concentration (CRn) was measured in Kiraz district, İzmir, and the correlation between the indoor and soil gas CRn values was investigated. The indoor CRn values measured in 40 randomly selected dwellings in Kiraz exhibited a wide range from 19.50 ± 2.50 to 204.70 ± 8.00Bqm-3 with an average value of 61.11 ± 4.23Bqm-3. The measured indoor CRn values were compared to the reference levels in the world to help control radon in the dwellings. Indoor CRn values were lower than the ICRP reference level of 300Bqm-3 in all of the dwellings studied. Furthermore, in 34 dwellings (representing 85% of the total number of dwellings studied), indoor CRn values were lower than the WHO reference level of 100Bqm-3. Health hazard indices, namely annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), were also calculated for each dwelling and compared with internationally acceptable levels to estimate the risk to human health. The AED values varied from 0.49 ± 0.06 to 5.16 ± 0.20mSv y-1 with an average value of 1.54 ± 0.11mSv y-1, which exceeds the world average of 1.15mSv y-1 as reported by UNSCEAR. The ELCR values ranged from 2.05 ± 0.26 × 10-3 to 21.55 ± 0.84 × 10-3 with an average value of 6.43 ± 0.44 × 10-3, exceeding the world average of 0.29 × 10-3 as reported by UNSCEAR. The soil gas CRn values measured exhibited a wide variation ranging from 129.25 ± 6.38Bqm-3 to 6172.64 ± 44.06Bqm-3 with an average value of 1291.79 ± 18.70Bqm-3. The soil gas CRn values were less than 10,000Bqm-3; hence, the research area is categorized as "low radon risk areas" according to Sweden Criteria, and so no special constructions are required in the studied area. When soil gas CRn values were compared to indoor CRn values, no linear relationship was found between the CRn values. However, a strong positive linear correlation was found between indoor and soil gas CRn values less than 200Bqm-3 and 2500Bqm-3, respectively.

Determination of potentially toxic metals and natural radionuclides in airborne pollens produced different urban environments in Turkey and health risk assessment

ABSTRACT Air pollutants are associated with potentially toxic metals (PTMs) and natural and/or artificial radionuclides, which can pose a major threat to human and environmental health. Pollens can be utilized as a bioindicator to determine the level of air pollution in urban areas. In this study, the concentrations of PTMs and natural radionuclides in 35 airborne pollen samples of 22 species belonging to Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Araucariaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae, and Oleaceae families grown in different urban areas in Turkey were determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. For the first time, non-carcinogenic and radiologic health risk assessments for adults were done, estimating hazard index (HI) and annual effective dose (AED), respectively. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Ti, Sr, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, V and Pb analyzed in airborne pollen samples varied from 52.1 to 3078.0, 26.1 to 159.6, 15.6 to 199.7, 9.1 to 282.2, 1.0 to 128.4, 5.0 to 40.1, 5.4 to 23.6, <LD to 11.3, 1.6 to 26.6, <LD to 11.1 and <LD to 5.7 mg/kg, respectively. The average concentrations of K (2%), Th (1.3 mg/kg) and U (1.0 mg/kg) were converted into the activity concentrations (in Bq/kg) of 40K (595.8), 232Th (5.2) and 238U (11.8), respectively. All HI and AED values revealed a very low non-carcinogenic and radiological health risk due to exposure to all PTMs and radionuclides in the pollen samples studied.

Measurement of gross alpha radioactivity levels and estimation of annual effective dose in hazelnut kernels

Abstract The present study investigates gross alpha (GA) radioactivity levels in hazelnut kernels purchased from markets in Türkiye. 10 different hazelnut samples were crushed and made ready for counting. The alpha counts were obtained via ELSEC 7286 low level alpha counter with ZnS scintillator and EMI 6097B photomultiplier tube. The samples were placed in front of the detector to acquire the counts. All samples were counted isochronously. In addition to the GA activity measurement, total annual effective dose (AED) value for different age groups owing to ingestion was calculated for each sample. It was observed that the GA radioactivity levels in the samples were quite low, and total AED values were considerably lower than the WHO worldwide average AED value (290 μSv/year).

Ambient gamma radiation level around Kaveri river basin, Karnataka state, India.

Studies on ambient gamma radiation in indoor and outdoor environment and their effect on human health have created interest among the researchers across the world. The present study represents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates around the Kaveri river basin from Talakaveri (Madikeri district) to Mekedatu (Ramanagara district) by using portable Environmental Radiation Dosemeter. The annual effective dose in the present study area varies between 0.14mSv.y-1 and 0.58mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.30mSv.y-1 for indoor radiation. The outdoor annual effective dose ranged between 0.01mSv.y-1 and 0.14mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.06mSv.y-1. The total annual effective dose varies from 0.17 to 0.72mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.36mSv.y-1. The calculated values of indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in the study area (are found to be lower than the world average values (1mSv.y-1 and 0.48mSv.y-1).

Assessment of environmental hazard impacts in building materials (Marble), Gabal El-Galala El-Bahariya, Northeastern Desert, Egypt

Galala limestone is widely used for construction and ornamental purposes and is known throughout the world under many commercial names, including Galala White, Galala Golden, Galala Creama and Galala Classic. Using a HPGe spectrometer, about 20 samples from the marble building industry were radiometrically analyzed and the gamma radiation emitted by the radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K was evaluated. The measurements performed showed that the concentrations of these radionuclides were 15 ± 13, 6 ± 4 and 1100 ± 330 Bq kg−1, respectively. It's important to note that all these recorded values do not exceed the internationally reported average levels of 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg−1for each individual element. The annual effective dose (AED) was estimated. The mean value of AED, 0.07 mSv/y, is comparable to the permissible average of 0.07 mSv/y, respectively. The relationship between radionuclides and their radiological hazard characteristics was studied using various multivariate statistical techniques such as Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The results indicate that the main contributors to the radiological hazard associated with marble are uranium and potassium. As a result, the use of marble in building materials may not pose a significant risk to public health.

Radiological impact of hydrocarbon waste release on drinking water of ughievwen and udu communities, delta state Nigeria

Well water quality has been characterized with constant and continuous changes via the interaction of rock, soil and natural nano-filters which terminates at the aquiferous layer for clean well-water collection. The continuous exploration and production of crude oil has resulted significant increase of unwanted elements such as naturally occurring radionuclides in the water-bed which necessitates this study. The study determines the radionuclides based health impact or hazards associated with drinking water from crude oil exploration/production release in Ughievwen and Udu communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Sixty well water samples (three samples from each community) were collected and analyzed using sodium iodide (Nal (Tl)) detector. The obtained mean values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 6.91 ± 1.62BqL−1, 4.39 ± 1.47 BqL−1 and 24.54 ± 1.59 BqL−1 respectively. The 238U, 232Th and 40K results showed that the measured values are higher than the world standard (UNSCEAR; WHO) and the control values The mean values of total annual effective dose of different age groups are: 11.08 mSvy−1, 2.54 mSvy−1, 1.93 mSvy−1, 2.52 mSvy−1, 7.03 mSvy−1 and 1.12 mSvy−1 respectively. While the mean committed effective dose of adult is 55.94 mSvy−1. The total annual effective dose, committed effective dose, cancer risks and hereditary effects are all lower than recommended limit (WHO; ICRP; USEPA) and reported scientific values except 11.08 mSvy−1 and 7.03 mSvy−1 that are higher than limit. It is evident from obtained results that the drinking water may not be radiologically safe for use by the public, which necessitates routine monitoring and caution to circumvent increase in radiation and the radiological of the studied communities’ drinking water. This is to avoid long term radiological risk arising from accumulation of such release in the studied communities.

Radioactivity concentration levels and potential radiotoxicity risk assessment of aquatic superfoods case study of algae supplements

It has been found that algae have a variety of health benefits, although investigations showed that they contain radiotoxic elements, including 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs, which may affect human health. This study is connected to activity concentration measurements of the above radionuclides in the algae supplements available in the Middle East markets. The annual effective radiation doses of measured radionuclides in analyzed algal supplements have been calculated. The highest values of annual effective doses have been estimated for 226Ra in Ecklonia (13.39 μSv/y) and for 232Th in Red Marine Algae (11.80 μSv/y), both from South Korea. In algal “superfoods”, the effective dose of 137Cs is not significantly affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the activity levels of radionuclides are low, the naturally occurring radionuclides provide the most effective doses, and algae supplements can be considered safe.

Assessment of natural and artificial radioactivity concentrations in infant powdered milk consumed in Albania and estimation of the annual effective dose

This study evaluates the radiological risk associated with the consumption of infant powdered milk in Albania. Infant powdered milk is the basic foodstuff for their growth and development in many countries around the world. The activity concentration of radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs) was measured in fourteen types by using the gamma-ray technique. The results indicated that the activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were detected in all selected samples, whereas 137Cs were not detected in most of them. The activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th varies from 92.83 ± 4.32 to 400.53 ± 17.00 Bq kg−1, 0.80 ± 0.15 to 4.91 ± 0.28 Bq kg−1 and 0.19 ± 0.02 to 1.89 ± 0.14 Bq kg−1, respectively. The highest value for 137Cs was found to be 0.36 ± 0.03 Bq kg−1. The average values of Annual Effective Dose (AED) due to consumption of powdered milk were found to be 664.54 ± 31.11 μSv y−1 for infants ≤1 year and 138.53 ± 5.40 μSv y−1 for infants 1–2 years. The values of dose in this study were lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y−1 set by WHO/FAO and ICRP for all ages. Therefore, brands of powdered milk are safe, so, these can be normally consumed by infants in Albania.

Assessment of radiation exposure in the phosphate mining area of Gafsa (Southeastern Tunisia)

ABSTRACT This study investigates the radiological health implications of sixty-three (63) samples of soil, food, and drinking water collected from the phosphate mining area of Gafsa in Southeastern Tunisia. Additionally, it assesses the exposure to radon concentrations in houses located around the phosphate mining sites. The activity concentrations in soil samples were found to be 382.1, 36.1 and 16.3 Bq kg−1 respectively for 40K, 232Th and 226Ra. The average activity of 232Th was higher than worldwide average value of 30 Bq kg−1. Eleven (11) radiological hazard parameters were computed based on various exposure scenarios including external gamma dose rate (GDR), annual effective dose (AED) and risk assessment (RA). The calculated GDR values were of 3.2 nGy h−1 in food and 45.4 nGy h−1 in soil samples, while the average AED values were of 3.9 µSv y−1 in food and 83.5 µSv y−1 in soil samples. Internal AED due to ingestion of radionuclides was found to have a mean value of 0.1 µSv y−1 in soil, 264.4 µSv y−1 in food and 10 µSv y−1 in drinking water samples. The AED values due to inhalation of soil-dust and radon were assessed to be 2.1 and 1.2 µSv y−1, respectively. The RA average values in food and drinking water samples were found to be 3 × 10−5 and 2.4 × 10−4, respectively. Based on the exposure pathway, inhalation of radioactivity through soil and radon resulted in highest total AED values, which remained below the reference limit. This was followed by internal exposure, with total AED values of 274.5 µSv y−1.

Assessment of Excess Life Cancer Risk from Radon Concentration in Borehole water Samples collected from Katagum LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Radon in potable water has turned out to be an issue of public health concerns, specifically when used immediately from supply for domestic purpose and consumption without any pretreatment. In this study, 222Rn Concentration in 15 water samples collected from ground water sources (borehols) in Katagum local government Bauchi State was determined, using Liquid scintillation counter (Tri-Carb- LSA1000) and the radiological risk was calculated. The study revealed that, 222Rn concentration ranges from 28.44 to 49.61 Bql-1 with mean value of 39.55 Bql-1. These values were found to be higher than the permissible limits set by WHO, USEPA and UNSCEAR. The mean value of annual effective dose due to ingestion for different age categories (adults, children and infants) are 0.29, 0.43 and 0.51 mSvy-1 respectively; and for inhalation the mean is 0.1 mSvy-1. Also, the mean value of excess life cancer risk due to ingestion for different age groups (adults, children and infants) are 0.0010, 0.0015 and 0.0018 respectively while that of inhalation is 0.0003. Thus, this study reveals that borehole water around Katagum Local Government Area Bauchi State is not radiologically safe and there is need for constant monitoring.

Risk assessment of radon exposure inside residential dwellings in Safi city, Morocco

ABSTRACT A radon study was conducted in 50 residences in Safi city, Morocco, using LR-115 detectors. The annual effective dose and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk were also estimated. The measured radon concentrations ranged between the Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) and 132 Bq.m−3 with an arithmetic mean of 53 Bq.m−3 and a geometric mean of 41 Bq.m−3 (2.32). The results indicated that 58% of the obtained values exceeded the worldwide average value (39 Bq.m−3). In addition, the results revealed significant impacts of floor level and region on indoor radon levels. Inhabitants of the surveyed houses were found to receive a mean annual effective dose of 1.5 ± 0.1 mSv.y−1, corresponding to an Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk of 0.6%. Importantly, all annual effective dose values were below the recommended action level by the ICRP (3–10 mSv.y−1). Using the Ordinary Kriging method implemented in the QGIS software, an indoor radon map was created based on the collected data. The findings in this study serve as baseline values for future studies concerning radon concentrations and their fluctuations.

Radiological Risk to Inhalation of Thoron Gas from Medical Materials Samples Derived from Medical Plants in Iraq

Pollution by thoron is one of the factors that is harmful to human health. Medical materials, especially those derived from plants, have natural ingredients which are a major source of natural radioactivity, thoron being one of them. Therefore, the presence of harmful radioactivity in these materials is a matter of concern. This study determined the concentrations of thoron (220Rn or radon-220) from 70 samples of medical materials derived from medical plants using a CR-39 detector. Samples are drugs (solid), skin creams, herbs, toothpaste, drugs (liquid), and cosmetic products found in Iraqi pharmacies. Also, radiological risks such as Annual Effective Dose (AED), Excessive Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), and Lung Cancer Case (LCC) due to inhalation of thoron from medical materials samples in pharmacies were calculated. The results show that the results of the thoron concentrations in the samples of medical materials ranged from 1.02 Bq/m3 to 74.53 Bq/m3, with an average value of 18.21 ± 2.00 Bq/m3. The range values of AED, ELCR (×10-3) and LCC (×10-6) were 0.01-0.588 mSv/y, 0.04-2.36, and 0.18-10.58, respectively. It was als found that the thoron concentrations in samples of the present study vary from a minimum of 12.82 Bq/m3 in cosmetic products samples to a maximum of 30.29 Bq/m3 in herbs samples. Nonetheless, all thoron and radiological risk values were lower than the acceptable world limit (thoron = 200-300 Bq/m3 by ICRP and AED = 1.1-4.4 mSv/y by UNSCEAR).

Radon Concentrations in the Environments of Some Primary Schools in Khidir City, Al-Muthanna Province, Iraq

Indoor radon concentrations in 13 primary schools were conducted in Khidir City, Muthanna Province, Iraq, using LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detector type II. The study aims to estimate indoor radon levels in the internal environment of the classrooms for three months (from 1st September to 30th November 2023). Radon concentrations were varied from (0.1 Bq/m3) to (14.13 Bq/m3), with a mean value of (5.61 Bq/m3). The investigated levels were lower than the permissible limits referenced by UNSCEAR and WHO. Moreover, the annual effective dose (AED) has been calculated due to inhalation, which varied from the value of (0.029352 mSv/yr) to the value of (0.081145 mSv/yr), with a mean value of (0.016205 mSv/yr). AED values obtained were found to be lower than the allowed value of (0.1 mSv/yr) reported by UNSCEAR and much lower than the permissible limit (1 mSv/yr) proposed by WHO. However, the results obtained indicate that the indoor radon concentrations were significantly affected by the floor level of the classroom (negatively correlated) and the school building age (positively correlated). Consequently, all results have revealed that the radon concentrations and the associated inhalation radon dose does not pose any kind of health hazard to the occupational stuff and students.

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Drinking Water from some Selected Districts of Michika, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Radionuclides are source of radiation that were recorded to have damaging health effects for people living in a community with high back-ground radiation. This study was carryout to assess natural radioactivity in drinking water sources at some districts of Michika, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Twenty-four (24) water Samples from three different sources (surface, borehole and well), were collected and analyzed using a thallium activated 3ʺ x 3ʺ sodium iodide [NaI (TI)] detector connected to ORTEC 456 amplifier available at Center of Energy Research and Training (CERT), Zaria. The results show that the mean activity concentration for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 57.05, 40.31 and 193.6 Bql-1 for borehole samples, 82.09, 23.0 and 199.4 for surface samples and 87.65, 38.82 and 215.7 for well samples. These values are higher than the control value of activity concentration set by UNSCEAR 200). The mean absorbed dose rate (D) for borehole, surface and well water samples were found to be 58.78, 60.1 and 72.94 nGy/h respectively. The mean values surface and well samples were higher than the maximum accepted value of 59nGy/h as recommended by (UNSCEAR, 2000) however, borehole is within the MCL. The mean values of total annual effective dose for borehole, surface and well water samples were 0.08, 0.08 and 0.09 respectively. These values are below 0.12, 0.1 and 1.0 mSvy-1 as recommended by UNSCEAR, WHO and ICRP. Also, the mean values of Radium Equivalent Activity were 129.6, 130.4 and 159.8 Bql-1 for borehole, surface and well water samples respectively. All the value of Raeq were below the maximum recommended value of 370 Bql-1. The mean value of total cancer risk is 3.18E-06, 3.25E-06 and 3.91E-06 for borehole, surface and well water samples respectively. All the mean values were above the acceptable range of 1E-06 to 1E-04. Based on our findings, the water sources in this area are not safe for domestic use. However continuous radiological monitoring of the water is recommended to safeguard the health of the populace.

The distribution of natural radionuclides 40K, 228Ac, and 226Ra on Romanian Territory: a radiometric study.

To estimate the radiation hazard due to the natural terrestrial radioactivity, 598 samples of soil covering the entire Romanian territory were collected and analyzed for the distribution of natural radionuclides 40K, 228Ac, and 226Ra. The ultra-low background Slanic-Prahova underground laboratory was used to determine the gamma-ray-specific activity of these radioactive isotopes with an uncertainty between 5 and 20%. All these data permitted to establishing a set of 2D maps illustrating the distribution of specific activity of each radionuclide as well as of the resulting air dose rate, all of them illustrating an heterogeneous distribution, increased values being displaced on the western and south-western territory. Mediated over 598 points, these determinations led to a value of annual effective dose of 0.7 ± 0.15 mSv/y and an external hazard index of 0.46 ± 0.1, both attesting to a radioecologically safe environment for human activity.

Age-dependent annual effective dose and radiological health risk from salt and soil collected from Padag, Chaghi, Balochistan, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the annual effective dose for different age groups and health hazards associated with natural radioactivity in salt and soil collected from Padag, Chaghi, Balochistan. All samples were analysed by using high-purity germanium (HPGe) and sodium iodide (NaI) detectors. The average values of concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in salt samples were found to be 10.49, 9.6 and 169.65 Bq.kg−1, respectively, using HPGe detector, while in case of NaI detector, these values were found to be 10.48, 9.89 and 161.73 Bq.kg−1, respectively. Similarly, the average values of concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil were found to be 24.59, 24.89 and 391.72 Bq.kg−1, respectively, using HPGe detector, while in case of NaI detector, these values were found to be 24.46, 24.71 and 358.31 Bq.kg−1, respectively. Significant correlations were found between the results obtained from HPGe and NaI detectors. The values of total annual effective dose due to ingestion of salt were found to be 2.46 × 10−5, 2.45 × 10−5, 3.55 × 10−5 and 1.13 × 10−5 μSv.y−1 using HPGe detector and 2.43 × 10−5, 2.44 × 10−5, 3.55 × 10−5 and 1.13 × 10−5 μSv.y−1 using NaI detector for the age groups (2–7 years), (7–12 years), (12–17 years) and (≥17 years), respectively. The highest value of annual effective dose was found in the age group 12–17 years and minimum was found in the age group ≥ 17 years. However, all values were found to be below the recommended value of 0.29 mSv. Total average radiological risk due to ingestion of salt for all age groups was found to be lower than the reported value.

Estimation of the Radiological Risk due to Radon‐222 Exposure in Dwelling of Al‐Hussainya District, Karbala Governorate

The key natural cause of irradiation in humans is the air. People spend most of their time at home, so home is likely a main source of natural radionuclide exposure in the air, especially radon gas. It is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. This study aims to evaluate Radon‐222 gas (222Rn) concentrations in the houses (indoor dwellings) of the Al‐Hussainya district of the Karbala Governorate, Iraq. Also, some radiological parameters such as AED (annual effective dose), PAEC (potential alpha energy concentration), EP (exposure to radon progeny), and CPPP (lung cancer cases per year per million people) were calculated. 222Rn concentrations were determined using closed and open dosimeters with CN‐85 detector (thickness of 12 μm). The range and average of 222Rn concentrations were from 21.791 Bq/m3 to 43.376 Bq/m3 and 32.3381 Bq/m3 in open dosimeters, respectively. While in closed dosimeters, the range of 222Rn concentrations and average values were from 19.324 Bq/m3 to 37.286 Bq/m3 and 26.6462 Bq/m3, respectively. The average values of AED, PAEC, EP, and CPPP due to radon by open dosimeters were 0.083 mSv/y, 0.358 mWL, 14.759 mWLMY−1, and 1.503, respectively, while the average values of AED, PAEC, EP, and CPPP due to radon by closed dosimeters were 0.063 mSv/y, 0.270 mWL, 11.134 mWLMY−1, and 1.134, respectively. According to WHO, EPA, and ICRP, the values of radon concentrations were within the range of what was allowed internationally. Also, the results of the radiological parameters due to radon gas for the study of the houses of the Al‐Hussainya district of the Karbala Governorate, Iraq, were low and did not constitute a health hazard.

Evaluation of radiological health risk due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in commercial packaged fruit juices consumed in Turkey

ABSTRACT Fruit juices (FJs) are among the most popular beverages frequently preferred by consumers, believing FJs contain the nutritional values, minerals, phytochemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants necessary for a healthy life. However, FJs may contain natural radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), which originates from the fruit and water utilized in their production, at levels that may pose a health risk to people. Inhalation and ingestion of 222Rn gas increases the risk of lung and stomach cancer. In this study, commercially packaged FJs from the seventeen most popular brands consumed in Turkey were analyzed for physicochemical properties and 222Rn activity concentrations to evaluate the radiological health risk. The values of pH, brix and 222Rn activity concentrations in FJ samples varied from 2.68 to 4.28, 2.50 to 14.30%, 9.6 ± 1.1 to 25.2 ± 2.5 mBq/L, respectively. The radiological health risk caused by internal exposure was evaluated for children and adults by estimating the ingestion and inhalation annual effective dose. The average values of the total annual effective dose for children and adults were found as 0.039 µSv and 0.056 µSv, respectively, which are much lower than the recommended dose of 100 µSv for drinking water.

Measurement of radium and radon gas in bottled mineral waters.

In this study, the radon gas and radium concentration in the bottled mineral water samples was measured. A total of sixty samples were collected from bottled mineral water sold in the markets in Kahramanmaraş. DURRIDGE Rad7 electronic radon detector was used for measurements. Radon and radium activity amounts range from 33.50 ± 1.30mBq/L to 51.70 ± 2.20mBq/L, and 2.92 ± 0.15mBq/L to 4.51 ± 0.26mBq/L, respectively. Average radon and radium active amounts are 41.67 ± 1.54mBq/L and 3.63 ± 0.18mBq/L, respectively. Total annual effective dose values were calculated for these mineral waters according to three different scenarios. In the first of these, it was assumed that natural mineral water was consumed annually instead of 730 L of drinking water (S1). In the second case, 150 L which was the annual average amount of natural mineral water consumed in European Union member countries was used for the annual average amount of natural mineral water consumed by adults (S2). Finally, the annual average amount of natural mineral water consumed in Turkey, 14 L, was used for adults (S3). For scenarios (S1, S2, S3), the total (ingestion + inhalation) annual average dose values ranged from 6.83E-04mSv/y to 1.05E-03mSv/y, 1.40E-04mSv/y to 2.17E-04, and 1.32E-05mSv/y to 2.03E-05mSv/y, their average values were 8.49E-04mSv/y, 1.75E-04mSv/y, and 1.64E-05mSv/y, respectively. The total effective dose values calculated within the scope of the current study were below the limit value announced by WHO.

Estimation of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity from the Soil Samples of Ganderbal and Budgam Districts of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract The study of radionuclides is very important in our daily life as these impose health implications to the general public. In present study the estimation of radionuclides in Ganderbal and Budgam districts of Kashmir Province using NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectro-meter has been carried out. Radium, thorium, and potassium activity concentrations have been observed to range from 25±3 to 33±5 Bqkg−1, 3±2 to 11±3 Bqkg−1 and 415±63 to 601±80 Bqkg−1with average values of 29 Bqkg−1, 5 Bqkg−1 and 514 Bqkg−1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) for the soil samples has been evaluated and was found in the range of 107 to128 Bqkg−1 with the mean value of 116 Bqkg−1. It has been inferred that the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) lies in the permissible limits of 370 Bqkg−1 set by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Absorbed dose and annual effective dose (indoor and outdoor) values were found to vary from 34 to 43 nGyh−1, 0.17 to 0.21 mSv and 0.04 to 0.05 mSv, respectively. Also, hazard indices (external and internal) are calculated from the specific concentration of radium, thorium and potassium which are found less than unity as recommended by organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD). Therefore, it can be concluded that the present study area does not pose any health implication to the general public.