|
Assessment of environmental radioactivity in soil samples of primary schools in North of Al-Najaf governorates
|
Q.J. Tarbool   , S.H. Kadhim , A.S. Alaboodi , A.A. Abojassim |
| Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kufa, Al-Najaf, Iraq , ali.alhameedawi@uokufa.edu.iq |
|
|
Abstract: (1055 Views) |
Background: Natural radioactivity in the soil is the main reason behind this research. So, the natural radioactivity (40K, 238U, and 232Th) in soil samples have been measured in ten primary schools at north of Al-Najaf province. Materials and Methods: The specific activities (214Bi belongs to the uranium-238 series; 208TI belongs to the thorium-232 string and a natural radionuclide 40K) have been indicated by using spectral analysis technique of Gamma-ray of 3”x3” NaI(Tl) scintillation detector has been used. Results: The average value of specified activity for 40K, 238U, and 232Th in all samples is (201.47±24.47) Bq/kg, (10.17±1.78) Bq/kg, and (5.91±0.83) Bq/kg respectively. In this work, the majority of the hazard indices were calculated. The average value of radium Equivalent Activity was (16.673±1.71) Bq/kg, Absorbed Gamma Dose was (16.673±1.71) nGy⁄h, external hazard index was (0.092±0.009), internal hazard index was (0.120±0.013), representative gamma index was (0.261±0.026), Annual influential dose equivalent indoor was (0.082±0.008), for Annual influential dose equivalent outdoor was (0.020±0.002) mSv/y, and excess lifetime cancer risk was (0.358±0.03) × 10-3. Conclusion: Most of the detected readings are in the recommended values by (UNSCEAR, OECD, and ICRP) When compared with the worldwide average (40K=412 Bq/kg, 238U=35 Bq/kg, and 232Th= 45 Bq/kg). In other words, ten primary schools at Al-Najaf governorates are safe for work and free of radiation hazards to students. |
|
| Keywords: Pelvis, Environmental radioactivity, internal hazard, gamma emitters, NaI(Tl), soil, Najaf schools. |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 2170 kb]
(739 Downloads)
|
|
Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
