scholarly journals Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards in Agricultural and Virgin Soil in the State of Kedah, North of Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazwa Alzubaidi ◽  
Fauziah B. S. Hamid ◽  
I. Abdul Rahman

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides226Ra,232Th, and40K were determined in 30 agricultural and virgin soil samples randomly collected from Kedah, north of Malaysia, at a fertile soil depth of 0–30 cm. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detector and a PC-based MCA. The mean radioactivity concentrations of226Ra,232Th, and40K were found to be 102.08 ± 3.96, 133.96 ± 2.92, and 325.87 ± 9.83 Bq kg−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 65.24 ± 2.00, 83.39 ± 2.27, and 136.98 ± 9.76 Bq kg−1, respectively, in virgin soils. The radioactivity concentrations in agricultural soils are higher than those in virgin soils and compared with those reported in other countries. The mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose ratesD(nGy h−1), annual effective dose equivalent, and external hazard index (Hex) are 458.785 Bq kg−1, 141.62 nGy h−1, and 0.169 mSv y−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 214.293 Bq kg−1, 87.47 nGy h−1, and 0.106 mSv y−1, respectively, in virgin soils, with averageHexof 0.525. Results were discussed and compared with those reported in similar studies and with internationally recommended values.

2021 ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Milena Živković ◽  
Nenad Zlatić ◽  
Dragana Krstić ◽  
Milan Stanković

In the present work, we determined activity concentrations of ten Medicinal herbs using gamma spectrometry. The radioactivity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs were 2.82, 0.63, 984.32, 0.28 Bq/kg, respectively. These doses are not hazardous to the general public's health. The mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (D), annual effective dose (De) and external hazard index (Hex) are 79.51 Bq/kg, 42.73 nGy-1 , 52.40 µSv and 0.21, respectively. Medicinal plants used to make tea do not contain a concentration of tested radionuclides that would cause negative consequences to one's health.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Khatun ◽  
AHM Saadat ◽  
MM Ahasan ◽  
S Akter

Rajbari district of Bangladesh, have been studied and possible health effect were estimated. The experiment has been done by using gamma ray spectrometry system consisting of a HPGe detector coupled with MCA and associate electronics. The average natural radioactivities of 238U, 232Th and 40K have been measured as 29.03±5.67 Bq/kg, 50.91±10.17 Bq/kg and 535.32±89.19 Bq/kg respectively. To estimate health effect due to the activity of those radionuclides, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), absorbed dose rate (D) and effective dose have been calculated and compared to the world average values. The results are also compared with the literature values reported for other regions of the world and found that the soil of the study area are not hazards by the radiation and does not pose any harmful effect to the environment. The outcome of this study may provide valuable information about radiation hazard and also may take part in the monitoring of environmental radioactivity. Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.2, 1-8, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v2i0.16324


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-333
Author(s):  
M Abu Shayeb ◽  
A Majid ◽  
S Zobidi

The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are measured in the material collected from two locations. The collected materials are analyzed using gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentration of the naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in building material varies from 12.6 to 121.4, 13.6 to 142, and 69.5 to 620.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and hazard index are also calculated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-321
Author(s):  
Fei Tuo ◽  
Xuan Peng ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Jing Zhang

Abstract Radioactivity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in a total of 92 samples, including eight commonly used types of building materials that were obtained from local manufacturers and suppliers in Beijing. Concentrations were determined using high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. The 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations in all samples varied from 10.1 to 661, 3.3 to 555 and 3.2 to 2945 Bq per kg with an average of 127.8, 114.8, and 701.5 Bq per kg, respectively. The potential radiological hazards were estimated by calculating the absorbed dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard (Hex), and internal hazard (Hin) indices. The investigated building materials were classified into different types according to the radioactivity levels. Results from this research will provide a reference for the acquisition, sales, and use of building materials. Attention should be paid to the use of coal cinder brick, ceramic, and granite in the construction of dwellings.


Author(s):  
P.M. Gyuk ◽  
J.O. Anaegbu ◽  
H.O. Aboh ◽  
R. Daniel ◽  
A. Aruwa ◽  
...  

The background radiation of the areas was collected at random for each point using a rados survey meter. The detectors (two rados survey meter were used) were placed 1 meter above the ground with the operator positioned a few meters away. Three (3) readings were taking from each detector in other to reduce error or reach accuracy in obtaining the background readings from each randomly selected point where soil samples were later collected. In the current study, the concentration levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) of 40K, 232Th, and 238U in the surface soil samples of selected areas in kigo road new extension Kaduna north, Kaduna in Nigeria were studied. The collected soil samples were analyzed by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of the natural occurring radionuclides of  226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were estimated to be 62, 78.35, 227.17 Bq/kg respectively for kigo road new extension respectively. Radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent were also calculated for assessment of radiological risk. External hazard value (Hex) is between 0.3163 and 0.9557 and Internal hazard value is between 0.4462 and 1.1618. The worldwide average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples from various studies around the world have values of 37, 30 and 400 Bq/kg respectively [UNSCEAR, 2000]. The values compared well with published data from UNSCEAR shows Ra-226, Th-232 from the location are well above the standards while K-40 below the risk value.


2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Samad ◽  
MI Ali ◽  
D Paul ◽  
SMA Islam

The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was determined in solid and liquid samples collected from the TSP Fertilizer Factory, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A total of 18 samples of seven different kinds (including liquid and solid wastes) were collected and analyzed by gamma ray spectrometry technique using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector of 40% relative efficiency. The analysis of the liquid waste samples showed that the average activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th were 6.26 ± 0.63 and 10.01 ± 1.39 Bq/L, respectively and no 40K was detected in any of the liquid samples. In the solid waste samples the average value of activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 187.49 ± 4.88, 70.06 ± 11.76 and 655.94 ± 110.24 Bq/kg, respectively. Considering the stored wastes as a part of the ambient environment of the factory, radium equivalent activity, radiation hazard index and external annual effective dose to the worker and public due to these wastes were also calculated and compared with world average values. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v36i1.10923 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 1, 79-88, 2012


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 742-751
Author(s):  
K.W. Giwa ◽  
O.D. Osahon

The activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 238U in five different organs of bovine meat commonly eaten by the Nigerian populace were measured using gamma ray spectrometry. The meat samples were collected from a Government owned abattoir at Ikpoba slope, Benin City. The essence of the study was to estimate the internal radiation dose incurred by a population due to the ingestion of radionuclides from meat consumption. The mean absorbed dose rate was 12.60 ± 1.51 nGy h−1, which is far lower than the recommended value of 55 nGy h−1. The AACED obtained in this study differs for each organ, thereby making the threshold consumption rate different, but the mean dose, 0.171 ± 0.07 mSv yr−1, is below the 0.3 mSv yr−1 reported to be the recommended average value. The mean threshold consumption rate for meat intake for the samples under study was calculated to be 107.5 ± 6.22 kg yr–1. Thus, this study has contributed to the body of knowledge and data that can lead to the formulation of regulations related to radiological healthcare in the study area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-180
Author(s):  
Md Samiul Ehsan ◽  
Md Faisal Rahman ◽  
Nafisa Tabassum ◽  
Md Mahidul Haque Prodhan ◽  
Shikha Pervin ◽  
...  

The study has been carried out to measure the activity concentration of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in fifteen(15) soil samples of Natore, Kushtia and Pabna district, which are around the 30 km peripheral area of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, by gamma ray spectrometry system using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. It is found that the activity concentration of 226Ra, in the collected sample was from 3.52 Bq/kg to 28.5 Bq/kg with the average value of 12.42 Bq/kg. For 232Th, the range was from 4.18 Bq/kg to 34.5 Bq/kg with the average value of 12.6 Bq/kg. Finally, the activity concentration of 40K, in the collected sample was in the range of 84 Bq/kg to 345 Bq/kg, and the average value was 198.9 Bq/kg. The absorbed dose rate (D) was found to be in the range of 4.59 nGy/h to 40.93 nGy/h with the mean value 21.3 nGy/h. The annual effective dose (E) was in the range of 0.006 mSv/yr to 0.152 mSv/yr with an average of 0.033 mSv/yr. The radium equivalent activity was in the range from 10.02 Bq/kg to 89 Bq/kg with an average of 44.99 Bq/kg. The external hazard index (Hex) was found to be in the range of 0.027 to 0.242 with the mean value of 0.121 and the internal hazard index (Hin) was found to be in the range of 0.044 to 0.302 with the mean value of 0.156. All the values are much below the recommended limit by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 35 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 30 Bq/kg for 232Th and 400 Bq/kg for 40K. According to international and national regulation, the annual dose to members of the public, 1 mSvy-1 and Hex & Hin must be lower than unity. Moreover, no artificial radioactivity was found in the soil samples of this study area. This research concludes that the found values are within the permissible limits as required by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control(NSRC) Rules-1997 of Bangladesh and International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) Safety Standards- General Safety Requirements (GSR): Part-3. Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 43, No. 2, 169-180, 2019


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Moyo Ndontchueng ◽  
Eric Jilbert Mekongtso Nguelem ◽  
Augustin Simo ◽  
Raymond Limen Njinga ◽  
Gembou Shouop Cébastien Joël

A study of natural radioactivity levels in some composites of eighteen soil samples selected within Douala-Bassa zone of Littoral Region has been evaluated. The samples were analysed using gamma spectrometry based broad energy germanium detector (BEGe 6350). The activity profile of radionuclide shows low activity across the studied areas. The obtained mean values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the two campuses were 25.48 Bq/kg, 65.96 Bq/kg, and 39.14 Bq/kg for Campus 1 and 24.50 Bq/kg, 66.71 Bq/kg, and 28.19 Bq/kg for Campus 2, respectively. In terms of health analysis, some radiation health hazard parameters were calculated within the two campuses. The mean values of radium equivalent activity were 122.81 Bq/kg and 122.08 Bq/kg, absorbed dose rate in air was 99.13 nGy/h and 98.18 nGy/y, annual outdoor effective dose was 0.12 mSv/y and 0.12 mSv/y, and external health hazard index was 0.34 and 0.33 in Campus 1 and Campus 2, respectively. These health hazard parameters were seen to be below the safe limit of UNSCEAR 2000 except the absorbed dose rate in air and the annual outdoor effective doses which are relatively high compared to the values of 60 nGy/h and 0.07 mSv/y. These results reveal no significant radiological health hazards for inhabitance within the study areas.


Author(s):  
O O Adewoyin ◽  
M Omeje ◽  
E S Joel ◽  
O A Odetunmibi

Abstract Thirteen (13) types of building tiles and Sharp sand commonly used for building purposes were collected for their radionuclide contents analysis using gamma ray spectrometry. The average value of the Radium equivalent activity is 208.81 Bq/kg for all samples considered was found to be lower than the recommended safe limit of 370 Bq/kg. Similarly, both external and internal hazard indices (Hex and Hin) were noted to have mean values of 0.57 and 0.73, respectively, which were lower than the recommended safe standard of 1. More so, the average absorbed gamma dose rate was observed to be 94.31 nGy/h, much higher than the recommended safe limit of 59 nGy/h.


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