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Assessment of natural radioactivity and radiological hazard index in the soil of Shrimadhopur, Rajasthan, India
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N.K. Bawalia   , S. Degra , S.K. Gupta , R. Malviya , R.K. Meena , V. Yadav , V. Vishal , Y.K. Saini , N. Naskar , P. Meena , D. Meena |
| Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, 302004, Rajasthan, India , dalpat11phdmeena@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (42 Views) |
Background: Environmental accumulation of naturally occurring radioactive substances and their decay products may harm local populations' health. In this investigation, soil samples collected from many sites in Shrimadhopur, Rajasthan, India, were examined for the specific activities of radioisotopes and their potential health risks. Materials and Methods: Ten samples of soil were collected from various parts of Shrimadhopur. The samples were prepared and analysed for activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K using a p-type High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, and the activity concentrations were calculated by the comparative approach; radiation hazard parameters were also evaluated. Results: The mean activity concentrations were determined to be 20.23, 34.17, and 335.09 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra,232Th, and 40K, respectively. The Radium equivalent activity varies between 44.27 and 138.19 Bq kg-1 with an average of 84.91 Bq kg-1. It was discovered that hazard parameters like Hex, Hin, ??, and ?? were below the safe limit of unity. The average absorbed gamma dose rate was measured at 127.92 nGy h-1, while the average total annual effective dose equivalent was 0.024 mSv. Furthermore, the average excess lifetime cancer risk is 0.086 × 10-3. Conclusion: These findings suggest that no substantial health hazards are associated with the radiological characteristics of the soil samples. |
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| Keywords: Gamma ray spectroscopy, HPGe detector, comparative method, radiological hazard, soil. |
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Full-Text [PDF 1380 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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