Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentration and the Associated Effective Dose Rate Determination in Dwellings of Suq Alshouk, Thiqar (Iraq)

Indoor radon/thoron concentration has been determined in some dwellings of Suq Alshouk district in Thiqar Governorate southern of Iraq, using LR-115 type II and CR-39 (SSNTDs). In this work the indoor radon/thoron concentration varies from (8-73) Bq m-3 for radon with an average 35±2Bq m-3, and ranges (1- 47) Bq m-3 for thoron with an average16±2Bq m-3. The average annual effective dose due to radon and thoron varies from 0.43-3.38m Sv y-1 with average value 1.43±0.11 mSv y-1.

Soil mineral analysis and environmental radioactivity in Ghizer, Eastern Hindukush, Pakistan

Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K) was determined in 32 samples from Ghizer, an Eastern Hindukush district at an altitude of 2286 m in Pakistan using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffractometry identified quartz, calcite, albite and anorthite as major phases whereas actinolite, chlorite serpentine and kaolinite as minor phases. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K varied from 25.2 ± 1.7 to 145.3 ± 10.1 Bq kg−1, 24.9 ± 1.1 to 197 ± 9 Bq kg−1, 2.03 ± 0.21 to 16.7 ± 1.1 and 252 ± 6 to 1433 ± 35 Bq kg−1, respectively. The samples yielded average radium equivalent activity as 178.4 ± 23.3 Bq kg−1. The majority of the samples revealed external hazard index and representative level index less than one. The average air absorbed dose rate was 91.2 ± 13.6 nGy h−1 corresponding to the annual effective dose rate 111.8 ± 17.4 μSv y−1. These values were higher than the world averages for air absorbed dose rate and outdoor annual effective dose rate. Principal component analysis was applied to obtain distribution pattern within the samples and among the radionuclides.

Technical and radiological characterisation of fly ash and bottom ash from thermal power plant

Huge quantities of fly ash and bottom ash are generated from thermal power plants and it presents great concern for country, mainly due to the environmental effects. In this study, fly ashes and bottom ash were characterized from technical and radiological aspects. Health effect due to the activity of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was estimated via radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazards index (Hex), the external absorbed dose rate (D) and annual effective dose rate (EDR). The specific surface area (40.25 m2 g−1), particle density (1.88 g cm−3) and LOI (23.49%) were typical for bottom ash. Siliceous fly ash contained 32% reactive silica. The annual effective dose rate for all ashes is ≤ 0.2 mSv y−1. Both, fly ash and bottom ash present potential secondary raw materials to be used for building purposes as result of their technological and radiological assessment.

Measuring the Pollution Level with Uranium and Radon in the Soil of Some Areas Inside Baghdad University Campus-AL-Jadiriyah

In present study, the technique was used, including nuclear track detector type (CR-39), for appreciative concentrations uranium and radon in soil samples from Baghdad University Campus-AL-Jadiriyah utilizing a prolonged -term with a solid-state nuclear path sensor, a technique for charged particles has been developed., the radon concentrations, effective dose rate and uranium concentrations have measured in soil samples. Eight various venues from soil Baghdad University Campus have appointed. The results indicated variant values about uranium and radon concentrations, the average value for radon gas, effective dose rate and uranium concentrations was found to be 281.59 Bq/cm3, 7.09 mSv/y and 0.01 Bq/mm-2 respectively. All results appeared that concentrations for radon and uranium in soil are infra the permitted limit from (ICRP) agency which are 1100 Bq/m3 and 11.7 (mg. Kg- 1) ppm respectively. All results were comparison with the domestic and worldwide results.

Assessment of occupational exposure from radon in the newly formed underground tourist route under Książ castle, Poland

In the present study, 222Rn activity concentrations in a newly formed underground tourist route under Książ castle, Poland, were investigated for periods undisturbed and disturbed by construction works. This preliminary assessment is based on the almost 3-year long continuous measurements (28 Oct. 2016–02 Jul. 2019) done with an SRDN-3 instrument. In detail described are radon concentrations for periods of renovation (11 Aug. 2018–10 Oct. 2018), opening (15 Oct. 2018–10 Apr. 2019) and operation and monitoring (11 Apr. 2019–02 Jul. 2019) of the facility. It was observed that after the termination of construction work, when natural ventilation returned to the state preceding this work, the absolute values of radon activity concentration decreased. The mean annual radon concentrations were higher than the reference level of radon concentration in underground spaces recommended by IAEA, ICRP, and by the EU Council Directive for workplaces. They reached 1179 Bq/m3 and 943 Bq/m3 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Cyclically recurring daily changes in radon concentrations occurred only in April and October (so-called transitional periods) and only outside the period of construction work. The results confirmed; however, that these changes need not be considered when planning the work in the tunnel. The minimum effective dose rate from radon exposure occurs in colder periods of the year, from November to the end of March, where the mean effective dose rate value was found to be 0.0003 mSv/h. In contrast, the maximum dose rate of 0.014 mSv/h was observed from April to August.

Mapping the outdoor effective dose: the case study of the Umbria region (Italy)

<p>The absorbed dose rate due to natural radioactivity arises from terrestrial and cosmic sources, both contributing to the individual effective dose rate per fraction of time spent outdoor. Rocks and soils are the main reservoirs of terrestrial gamma-emitting radionuclides (e.g. <sup>40</sup>K and radioisotopes of the <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>238</sup>U chains) while high-energy particles originated from astrophysical phenomena produce a cascade of nuclear interactions which contributes to cosmic radiation decreasing in intensity with the atmosphere depth. Following the UNSCEAR 2008 report, the average exposure of the world population to the different natural radioactivity sources corresponds to about 2420 μSv/yr and the external effective dose of terrestrial and cosmic origin is 870 μSv/yr.</p><p>The Umbria region (Italy), with its high variability of sedimentary and igneous rocks (e.g. limestone, sandstone, volcanic tuff) and a population of about 880000 inhabitants well distributed between 100 m and 1000 m a.s.l., represents the ideal case for mapping the effective dose from natural sources in a multifaceted environment. The outdoor effective dose rate from terrestrial radionuclides is studied by analysing 7439 gamma spectra measuring rock and soil samples in laboratory and carrying out about 20 hours of airborne radiometric surveys. Collocated CoKriging is used for the spatial interpolation of the sparse data, adopting a high-resolution geological map as ancillary information. The obtained numerical map is integrated with the cosmic radiation effective dose rate calculated considering the effects of altitude, latitude and the solar magnetic activity cycle. The resulting map of the outdoor effective dose rate shows a median value of 632 mSv/yr and only 3% of the territory is characterized by values higher than 814 mSv/yr.</p>

Annual Effective Dose from Natural Background Radiation in Pokhara, Nepal

Measurement of outdoor natural background radiation doses at different locations of Pokhara city, Nepal was carried out using GCA-07W, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) certified Geiger Muller (GM) detector. From the measurements, the least value of background radiation dose rate was found to be 0.26 ± 0.08 μSv/hr for Mahendra Cave area, and the highest value of dose rate was found to be 0.65 ± 0.12 μSv/hr for Prithvi Narayan Campus. The average annual effective dose rate of Pokhara city was found to be 0.56 ± 0.12 mSv/yr ranging from 0.31 ± 0.09 mSv/yr to 0.80 ± 0.14 mSv/yr. The radiation levels in Pokhara, the most populated city of the western development region of Nepal, were found to be within the secure limit for areas of the normal background recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (1 mSv/yr). Further, the current result was compared with the previous study of annual effective dose rate measured in Kathmandu city. Comparable value of the average annual effective dose rate in Pokhara and Kathmandu was obtained.

RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AT ASHAKA CEMENT COMPANY, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Enhanced natural radioactivity due human activities can be harmful to the environment and human health depending on the amount of exposure. A sensitive gamma spectrometry system consisting of 7.6cm x 7.6cm Nal(Tl) scintillation detector coupled with Canberra series 10 plus multichannel analyzer was used to determine the radioactivity concentration of natural radionuclides 232Th, 238U, and 40K in soil samples collected from the five communities around Ashaka Cement Company. The results obtained showed that the radionuclides are present in the soil samples in varying concentrations ranging from 11.36 Bq kg−1 measured in Badabdi to 98.06 Bq kg−1 in Ashaka Cement for 238U, from 13.21 Bq kg−1 in Jajami to 44.36 Bq kg−1 in Ashaka Cement for 232Th and from 65.50 Bq kg−1 in Gwangila to 415.62 Bq kg−1 in Julgwal Barkono for 40K. Absorb dose rate and annual effective dose rate due to these radionuclides are in the range 36 nGy h−1 in Badabdi to 50 nGy h−1 in Ashaka Cement and 0.132 mSv to 0.194 mSv in Badabdi and Ashaka Cement, respectively. These results are within global limits recommended by UNSCEAR. Therefore, the environmental matrices around the factory could be used without any restrictions

Assessment of radioactivity from selected soil samples from Halfa Aljadida area, Sudan

In this research, the results of radon concentration, surface and mass exhalation rates, radium concentration, effective dose rate and the alpha index have been investigated in a number of 198 soil samples that have been collected from various residential locations of Halfa Aljadida area, Sudan. The can technique, containing CR-39 have been used. From our results, the average value of soil gas radon concentration was found to be 1.96±0.22 kBq·m−3. The average values of surface and mass exhalation rates were 1.73±0.19 Bq·m−2·h−1 and 34.79±3.87 mBq·kg−1·h−1, respectively. The radium concentration average value was 8.06±0.90 Bq·kg−1. While the average value of the effective dose rate was recorded to be 54.69±6.11 mSv·y−1. The average value of alpha index of studied samples was (4.03±0.45)×10−2. From the study, a good positive and linear correlation between radium concentration, surface and mass exhalation rates of soil samples were present. In addition to that, a positive and linear correlation between radium and radon concentrations was found. Finally, a comparison between the results and other findings was conducted and the results imply the fact that the area under consideration is safe as if the health hazard are mentioned.