1
|
Rajesh Mugalgaon A, Mugalgaon RS, Kerur BR, Rangaswamy DR. Estimation of radioactivity in soil and drinking water samples from Northern Gulbarga District of Karnataka. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2023; 199:2481-2486. [PMID: 38126856 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The gamma activity of the radionuclides238U, 232Th and 40K were measured in surface soil samples collected from 40 villages of Aland, Afzalpur, Ganaghapur and Kamalapur talukas of Northern Gulbarga district, Karnataka. The gamma activity of natural radionuclides were measured using 4" × 4" NaI (Tl) scintillation detector, the spectrum was analysed using a PC based 1 k MCA (winTMCA 32 scinti SPEC) and the 222Rn activity concentrations in drinking water were determined by the Emanometry method. The activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K was found to be in the range from 14.3 ± 0.3 to 64.5 ± 6.1, 15.4 ± 0.2 to 95.0 ± 4.1 and 21 ± 06 to 323 ± 09 Bq kg-1, respectively. Outdoor AED from 0.023 to 0.07 mSv y-1 and all the radiological hazards indices were well within the safe limit. The 222Rn activity in ground water is found to vary from 1.11 to 66.6 Bq l-1. The total annual effective doses due to 222Rn inhalation and ingestion range from 3.02 to 181.81 μSv y-1, respectively, with an average value of 77.18 μSv y-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajesh Siddanna Mugalgaon
- Department of Studies and Research in Physics, Smt. V. G. College for Women, Kalaburagi, Karnataka 585102, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Prasad M, Bossew P, Shetty T, Ramola RC. Characteristics of 222Rn and 220Rn equilibrium factors in the indoor environments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 268-269:107262. [PMID: 37542796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Humans receive a significant portion (˃50%) of the total dose attributed to all the natural radiation sources from indoor radon (222Rn), thoron (220Rn), and their progeny. While progeny contributes an overwhelming part to the dose, in most surveys, only radon gas is measured because of the simplicity of measurement. Progeny concentration is usually estimated by multiplying gas concentration with an assumed factor, called the equilibrium factor, and taken from literature. Recently, results of the measurements of equilibrium factors for 222Rn and 220Rn were reported from various parts of the globe. In India, many such studies have been conducted in the current decade. The studies show a wide variation of equilibrium factors which suggests that they depend on environmental factors and measurement conditions. Therefore, they should be determined site specifically if accurate site-specific dose estimation is targeted. This paper summarizes concepts, definitions, and methods to determine equilibrium factors and reviews literature about reported equilibrium factors worldwide, focusing on data reported from India.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Prasad
- Chitkara University School of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 174103, India.
| | - Peter Bossew
- Retired from German Federal Office of Radiation Protection, Berlin, Germany
| | - Trilochana Shetty
- Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Brehova 7, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - R C Ramola
- Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal, 249 199, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shahrokhi A, kovács T. Characterization of environmental radiological parameters on dose coefficient - Realistic dosimetry compared with epidemiological dosimetry models. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19813. [PMID: 37809865 PMCID: PMC10559164 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation exposure due to all-natural sources amounts to about 2.4 mSv per year. However, this amount might be changed to over 3 mSv y-1 according to the recently introduced ICRP radon dose coefficient factor. Previously, the radon contribution to the total dose from natural sources was about 1.2 mSv y-1. However, after the latest introduced dose conversion factor by ICRP, this value could technically be increased to around 2 mSv y-1. This paper attempts to address the following questions: (i) whether reducing radon concentration to the recommended level could address concerns about radiation exposure in underground workplaces, and (ii) the effects of the difference between the epidemiological dosimetry models and realistic dose estimation. The actual dose conversion factor (DCF) was calculated using measured annual average unattached and equilibrium factors, ranging from 16 ± 9 to 25 ± 10 mSv·WLM-1. Then, the estimated inhalation dose, both from self-calculated DCF and the value reported by ICRP-137, was compared: 5.6 ± 0.7-7.6 ± 0.9 mSv y-1 and 3.3 ± 0.4-3.6 ± 0.5 mSv y-1, respectively. It can be observed that exposure to a radon concentration lower than the recommended level does not guarantee a lower dose than the recommended value. The estimated dose was at least two times greater than the dose using pre-estimated values from epidemiological dosimetry models, specifically in this case study. Further experiments in different underground working environments, excluding caves, are needed for more precise observations. It might also be time to update the data regarding the dose contribution from natural radiation sources, as the radon contribution increased according to ICRP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amin Shahrokhi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor kovács
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Adelikhah M, Imani M, Kovács T. Measurements and computational fluid dynamics investigation of the indoor radon distribution in a typical naturally ventilated room. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2064. [PMID: 36739299 PMCID: PMC9899222 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the European Union Basic Safety Standards to protect people against exposure to ionizing radiation, establishing and addressing the reference levels for indoor radon concentrations is necessary. Therefore, the indoor radon concentration should be monitored and control in dwelling and workplaces. However, proper ventilation and sustainability are the major factors that influence how healthy the environment in a building is for its occupants. In this paper, the indoor radon distribution in a typical naturally ventilated room under two scenarios (when the door is closed and open) using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique was studied. The CFD code ANSYS Fluent 2020 R1 based on the finite volume method was employed before the simulation results were compared with analytical calculations as well as passive and active measurements. The average radon concentration from the CFD simulation was found to be between 70.21 and 66.25 Bq m-3 under closed and open-door conditions, respectively, at the desired ventilation rate of 1 ACH (Air Changes per Hour). Moreover, the highest concentrations of radon were measured close to the floor and the lowest values were recorded near to the inlet, resulting in the airflow velocity profile. The simulation results were in good agreement with the maxima of 19% and 7% compared to analytical calculations at different indoor air velocities in the open- and closed-door scenarios, respectively. The measured radon concentrations obtained by the active measurements also fitted well with the CFD results, for example, with a relative standard deviation of around 7% and 2% when measured by AlphaGUARD and RAD7 monitors at a height of 1.0 m above the ground in the open-door scenario. From the simulation results, the effective dose received by an individual from the indoor air of the workplace was also calculated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- grid.7336.10000 0001 0203 5854Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200 Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- grid.412502.00000 0001 0686 4748Engineering Department, G.C, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box: 1983963113, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tibor Kovács
- grid.7336.10000 0001 0203 5854Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200 Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Awad M, El Mezayen AM, El Azab A, Alfi SM, Ali HH, Hanfi MY. Radioactive risk assessment of beach sand along the coastline of Mediterranean Sea at El-Arish area, North Sinai, Egypt. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 177:113494. [PMID: 35245768 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beach sand includes various levels of natural radioactivity, which can cause health effects. The natural radioactivity was measured in the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area, Egypt. Using the HPGe spectrometer, the contribution of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the gamma emitted radiation illustrated that the 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 8.8 ± 3.9, 30.8 ± 12.2 and 106.9 ± 46.8 Bq kg-1, respectively, which is lower than the reported worldwide limit 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg-1. The radioactive hazards associated with the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area were investigated. The obtained results among the radiological hazard parameters, the radium equivalent content (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (Dair), annual effective dose (AED), external (Hex) and internal (Hin) hazard indices were estimated. Moreover, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were also computed and illustrated their values less than the recommended levels. Multivariate statistical approaches like Pearson correlation, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to investigate the correlation between the radionuclides and the corresponding radiological hazard variables. Based on the statistical analysis, the 226Ra and 232Th mainly contribute to the radioactive risk of beach sand. Finally, no significant risk of the public associated with utilizing beach sand in building materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Awad
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A M El Mezayen
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A El Azab
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S M Alfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H H Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; Ural Federal University, Mira Street 19, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Adelikhah M, Imani M, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Modelling of indoor external and internal exposure due to different building materials containing NORMs in the vicinity of a HNBRA in Mahallat, Iran. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08909. [PMID: 35198774 PMCID: PMC8842013 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, by considering the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) contained in the building materials used in Mahallat, Iran - an area exposed to a high level of natural background radiation - residential scenarios were simulated by applying the computer code RESRAD-BUILD to estimate the long-term Effective Dose rate of three different cases of basic building materials utilized in walls, floors and ceilings. Maximum effective dose rates of between 504 and 1433 μSv yr-1 were calculated in the second case study, tiled cement floor. The highest external and radon doses were also calculated to be 369 and 1064 μSv, respectively. The simulation results revealed that 232Th and 40K contribute the most and least to the indoor dose, respectively. As a result of a sensitivity analysis, it was found that the air exchange rate is a key variable to easily reduce the radiological impacts of building materials. It was also shown that due to the presence of 226Ra, the sensitivity of effective dose to changes in wall thickness was higher than other radionuclides found in the building materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Suresh S, Rangaswamy DR, Sannappa J, Dongre S, Srinivasa E, Rajesh S. Estimation of natural radioactivity and assessment of radiation hazard indices in soil samples of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
8
|
Mehra R, Kaur S, Chand S, Charan C, Mehta M. Dosimetric assessment of primordial radionuclides in soil and groundwater of Sikar district, Rajasthan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
9
|
Sandesh A, Vinutha PR, Kaliprasad CS, Narayana Y. Evaluation of radiological hazards due to natural radionuclide in rocks and the dependence of radioactivity on the mineralogy of rocks in Udupi district on the south west coast of India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
10
|
Thuamthansanga T, Sahoo BK, Tiwari RC. Study of pre-seismic thoron anomaly using empirical mode decomposition based Hilbert–Huang transform at Indo-Burman subduction region. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|