scholarly journals Environmental Radioactivity evaluation and its health-related effects using gamma spectrometry in Delanta-Dawunt, Wollo District, Ethiopia

Author(s):  
Mekuanint Lemlem Legasu ◽  
Ashok K Chaubey

Abstract Background & Methodology : The specific activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and their health related effects were determined in different environmental samples(gemstones) collected from Delanta-Dawunt. Which is one of the mining place in Ethiopia to extract mainly opals (gemstones). Sample collection and the gamma spectroscopic analysis followed the recommended international procedures for such type of research. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using HPGe gamma-ray detector and PC-based MCA. The Purpose of this research: to determine the activity concentrations of the radionuclides U/Th series and K of gemstones(opals), to determine life time cancer risk of radionuclide in the environment , to assess the hazard and risk to the public associated with these dose values , to conduct the geochemical studies by quantifying the levels of trace gemstones as well as the physical parameters in soil samples within and around it, and To determine the radiation doses from these activity concentrations and compare with international recommended dose limits. Results: The results of the activity concentration on our research work showed significant variations from 11.97 ± 2.46 to 62.44 ± 14.99 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 25.69 ± 3.69 to 137.84 ± 13.23 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and 184.84 ± 3.59 to 969.56 ±18.16 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The mean radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found to be around 29.84 ± 6.53, 68.44 ± 18.94, 390.87 ± 6.09 Bk kg-1 respectively. Conculsion: The mean values of Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, external and internal radiation hazard (Hex and Hin) index ,and activity utilization index is 151.68±19.46 Bq kg-1, 72.19 ± 8.48 nGy h-1, 0.07 ± 0.01mSv y-1,0.43, 0.51, 0.57 ± 0.08 and 0.29 ± 0.03 respectively. The specific activity of 232Th is higher than the world mean value and 40K is the same as the world mean value. The radiation hazard indices, ELCR values found in this study are lower than the world mean values. However, the absorbed dose is higher than the world means value. This is due to the reason of high thorium concentration existence and opal mining is highly explored on such study areas.

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Angjeleska ◽  
Elizabeta Dimitrieska-Stojkovic ◽  
Zehra Hajrulai-Musliu ◽  
Radmila Črčeva-Nikolovska ◽  
Boško Boškovski

The aim of this study was to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioisotopes 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in 14 soil samples collected in the Skopje city surrounding, and to calculate the corresponding absorbed gamma dose rates. The radionuclides were measured applying a high purity Ge detector gamma-ray spectrometer with relative efficiency of 30 % at 1.33 MeV. The activity concentrations found in 14 soil samples varied in the range 24.1-41.9 Bq kg-1for 226Ra, 38.5-52.2 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, and 502-707 Bq kg-1 for40K. The mean radium equivalent (Raeq), for the area under investigation, was 143±16 Bq kg-1, while the outdoor radiation hazard index (Hex) was 0.39. The total absorbed dose rate due to three primordial radionuclides investigated lay in the range 55.3 - 79.0 nGy h-1 with mean value of 68.1±7.7 nGy h-1, yielding a total annual effective dose of (83.5±9.5) µSv y-1. The assessed radiological factors were lower than the recommended values, indicating low radiological health risk for the population living and working in the investigated area. The activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples were compared to the international values reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and previous studies on geographically close areas and some worldwide regions. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-191

Abstract: Radioactivity must be studied in soil to see the changes in the doses of human exposure. In this study, natural radioactivity and radiological hazard indices in soil samples of the Faculty of Agriculture (Al-Husseineya site) and the Faculty of Medicine (Al-Mothafeen site) in Kerbala Governorate were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the mean values of specific activity (in units of Bq/kg) and standard errors of: 238U, 232Th and 40K at Al-Husseineya site was 21.7±7.2, 9.43±3.2 and 335.8±82.2, respectively, while at Al-Mothafeen site, the mean values and standard errors were 22.4±8.8, 11.2±3.3 and 333.1±70.7, respectively. Radiation maps of natural radioactivity (238U, 232Th and 40K) at Al-Husseineya and Al-Mothafeen sites were mapped using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Moreover, most results in the present study fall within the acceptable levels, as defined by OCDE, UNSCEAR and ICRP. Therefore, there is no significant radiological hazard at the sites which were studied. Keywords: Radiological hazard, Natural radioactivity, Soil, NaI (Tl), Gamma-ray, Karbela University.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-164
Author(s):  
Sreten Ilic ◽  
Tatjana Golubovic ◽  
Natasa Pajic ◽  
Mirjana Djurasevic ◽  
Aleksandar Kandic

This paper presents the results of analyses of radionuclide content in the samples of the surrounding soil and clayey material of ?Zbegovi? open-pit mine in Donje Crniljevo, Serbia. Samples from 78 sites were collected and prepared. The activity concentrations were determined for radionuclides: 238U, 232Th, 40K, 226Ra, and 137Cs. The mean values obtained are as follows: 23 Bqkg?1, 89 Bqkg?1, 372 Bqkg?1, 56 Bqkg?1, and 11 Bqkg?1, respectively. Concentrations of 238U, 40K, and 226Ra in the studied area do not deviate from the values obtained for the soil in Serbia. The concentration of 232Th in the studied area is slightly higher relative to average values for soil, and slightly lower compared to similar deposits of clayey material in the world. Measurements performed showed that the open-pit mine of clayey material is completely uncontaminated surface as far as 137Cs is concerned, while there are sites where measured 137Cs concentrations are significantly higher, which is due to topographic differences and inhomogeneous surface contamination of land after the Chernobyl accident. To assess the radiological risks in the observed area, the following indices were determined: absorbed dose rate, annual outdoor effective dose, absorbed dose for biota, excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors as well as external radiation hazard index. The mean value of the estimated absorbed dose rate in the given area amounts to 80.1 nGyh?1, and the annual outdoor effective dose ranges from 46.9 to 134 Sv. Absorbed dose rate for biota in the studied area is 1.31 10?4 Gyd?1. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors for the population is 3.8 10?4, and t he mean value of the external radiation hazard index obtained in this study is 0.48, which is consistent with the world average. A low dose of radiation will not pose a risk to the population and biota in the studied area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 877 (1) ◽  
pp. 012034
Author(s):  
Ali Saeed Al Rmahi ◽  
Ali Abid Abojassim

Abstract This research focuses on measuring of specific activity of natural radioactive sources (238U, 232Th and 40K) in some types of secondary ceilings that used as a decorate material and available in Iraqi markets. The measurements were done using gamma ray spectroscopy system that based on NaI(Tl) Detector. Also, the radiological hazard indices have been assessed for all samples in present study. The results show that the specific activity vary from 8.7±0.6 to 32.9±2.3 Bq/kg for 238U, 2.9±0.2 to 40.3±1.5 Bq/kg for 232Th, and 117.4±2.6 to 649.1±7.9Bq/kg for 40K. The latter levels were compared with the world mean values that reported by the UNSCEAR 2008. It was found that all values of 238U and 232Th were below the world wide published values, while the values of only two samples of 40K were above the upper range of the world wide published values. Regarding the average values of radiological hazard risk were found to be within the permissible limit according to the OECD, UNSCEAR 2000, and ICRP. It can be concluded that natural radioactivity levels together with radiological hazard risk studied from the most of the secondary ceilings samples available in local markets of Iraq within natural rates of permissible limits and may not cause any danger to the human when being used.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
Sonexay Xayheungsy ◽  
Khiem Hong Le

Results of the first investigation of the activity concentration of the surface soil samples collected at various locations of Thoulakhom district of Vientiane province of Laos People's Democratic Republic (PDR) are presented in this work. The activity concentration of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were determined by gamma spectrometer using a highenergy resolution semiconductor detector HPGe. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were in the range from 11.28 to 31.46 with the mean of 21.76 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, from 7.13 to 44.47 with the mean of 21.85 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th and from 8.96 to 581.52 with the mean of 112.89 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. These mean values of the activity concentration were lower than the average worldwide ones, which were 33, 45 and 420 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The results indicate dthat the radiation hazard from natural 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides in all investigated soil samples taken from area under investigation in this work was not significant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lucia Nyiva Munyao ◽  
Daniel Kipngetich Ketui ◽  
Calford Otieno ◽  
Margaret Wairimu Chege

Construction sand is naturally polluted with radionuclides of terrestrial origin. In this study, specific activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in 30 sand samples collected along the Ekalakala River, Machakos County, Kenya, were measured using a high-purity germanium γ-ray spectrometer. The specific activities ranged between 9.7 Bqkg−1 and 24.0 Bqkg−1, 11.5 Bqkg−1 and 26.2 Bqkg−1, and 820 Bqkg−1 and 1850 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. While the mean specific activities for 238U and 232Th were less than half of the world average values of 33 Bqkg−1 and 45 Bqkg−1, respectively, the average specific activity of 40K was significant since it was three times the global mean value of 420 Bqkg−1. A calculated absorbed radiation dose rate for the sand varied between 46.8 nGyh−1 and 94.2 nGyh−1 with a mean of 68.5 ± 13.3 nGyh−1. This is not significantly different from the world average dose rate of 60 nGyh−1 for geological samples. The AEDR and Hex had maximum values of 0.29 mSvy−1 and 0.52, respectively, both within the recommended limits of radiation exposure for members of the general public. Based on these results, the sand from Ekalakala River does not pose significant health implication to the sand harvesters as well as the inhabitants of the houses constructed using this sand.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. McGarry ◽  
B. McHugh ◽  
A. Buis ◽  
G. McKay

The TracerCAD system is one of the leading prosthetic CAD systems in the world and is increasingly used in clinics to replace traditional methods of residual limb shape capture. Accurate dimensional capture of the residuum is arguably the most important process in the production of a prosthetic socket. TracerCAD system accuracy has previously been tested on a cylindrical model but not a trans-tibial shape. Residual limbs are irregular in shape therefore it is important to assess if shape has an effect on the accuracy of data collected when using TracerCAD. The objective of this study is to investigate the accuracy of the TracerCAD system in measuring a model of a trans-tibial stump of known dimensions and volume. A model of a trans-tibial stump was produced and filled with plaster and measured using a data acquisition system with an accuracy of five micron (0.005 mm). The model was repeatedly traced using the TracerCAD system by an individual user. The mean value of measures taken by the dynamic indicator was calculated and compared to individual and mean values of TracerCAD measurement. Results showed that the TracerCAD measurement was not as consistent on the more complex trans-tibial model as for the cylindrical model.


Author(s):  
U. Rilwan ◽  
I. Umar ◽  
G. C. Onuchukwu ◽  
H. A. Abdullahi ◽  
M. Umar

This work evaluates the radiation hazard indices from some selected mining sites in Nasarawa West, using Sodium Iodide Thallium Gamma Spectrometry. Raeq ranged from 100.39-197.40 Bq/Kg with a mean 161.44 Bq/Kg, which is lower than the average of 370 Bq/Kg. The GADR ranged from 44.85 nGy/hr-90.71 nGy/hr with the mean 73.68 nGy/hr. which is also below the average of 89 nGy/hr for soil. The AGED ranged from 315.77 mSv/yr-640.91 mSv/yr with the mean 519.19. Which is above the threshold value of 300 mSv/yr. ACI ranged from 0.73-1.45 with the mean value 1.18 which is above the standard of unity. The AEDE (outdoor) ranges from 0.055 mSv/yr-0.111 mSv/yr with the mean 0.090 mSv/yr which is above the 0.07 mSv/yr standard permissible limit. The AEDE (indoor) ranged from 0.220 mSv/yr-0.445 mSv/yr, with the mean value 0.361mSv/yr. This is below the 0.45 mSv/yr threshold. The ELCR ranged from 00.770-1.558 with the mean value 1.265 and from 0.193-0.389 with the mean value 0.317 for outdoor and indoor respectively, which exceed the 0.29 X 10-3 threshold limit. The External  and  Internal  Hazard  indices ranges from 0.271-0.533 and 0.289-0.675 as well as mean values 0.435 and 0.512 respectively, which are  below the threshold. Therefore, there may be serious radiological effects to the populace.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (31) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Yousif M. Zayir Al-Bakhat

The specific activity of 29 soil samples collected from FuelFabrication Facility FFF at AL-Tuwaitha site, 20 km south ofBaghdad were determined using HPGe detector in a low backgroundconfiguration, it's relative efficiency of 40%, and resolution of 2keVfor the 1332 keV gamma ray emission of 60Co. The range of activityconcentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were between (12.56-31.96),(10.2-18.4) and (47.47-402.1) Bq/kg respectively. In order to assessany radiological hazard to human health, the absorbed gamma doserate D in air at 1m above the ground surface was calculated in therange (18.87 to 36.46) nGy/h; the outdoor annual effective doseequivalent AEDE was evaluated to vary from 0.0039 to 0.0076mSv/y with the mean value 0.0059 mSv/y, this value comparable tothe worldwide effective dose 0.48mSv/y. The Radium EquivalentRaeq for all samples were evaluated and were lower than the acceptedsafety limit value of 370 Bq/kg. The results indicated that theradiation of hazards from primordial radionudlides in all samples inthis study is not significant.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1472-1478
Author(s):  
Heiyam N. Majeed ◽  
Ali K. Hasan ◽  
Hussein J. Hamad

Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city one of the most important ,oldest, historical and religious cities in Iraqi country which includes hundreds of holy shrines and historical mosques which over the built hundreds of years. The natural radiation of  forty two  samples of soil which collected randomly in June  2013 from different religious and historical places were  measured using  3"×3" Na(Tl) detection. The mean values activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K  was ( 23.59±4.37, 12.10±0.54 and 60.68±2.30) Bq kg-1  respectively , specific activity for all soil sample were in the worldwide average. The  average values of the Radium equivalent activity and  annual effective dose  were (22.455 Bq/kg and 25.375 μSv/y) less than the world average .The heist  external and internal hazard and gamma activity concentration index were (0.274 , 0.412 and 0.705) lower than unity.


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