Authors: Reeba Maria Jose, S. Ben Byju, S. Anilkumar, M. P. Chougaonkar
Affiliations: Research and Development Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, India, Centre for Advanced Research in Physical Sciences, Research Department of Physics, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
Emails: reebamgeorge@rediffmail.com
Journal: International Journal of Fundamental Physical Sciences (IJFPS)
Volume: 5, Issue: 2, Pages: 54-57, Date: June, 2015
ISSN: 2231-8186
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14331/ijfps.2015.330086
A systematic radiological survey was conducted in the High Background Radiation Areas (HBRAs) of Kollam district in Kerala and Manavalakurichi in Tamil Nadu, India, analyzing 180 soil samples for 238U, 232Th, and 40K using NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. Radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, and annual effective dose rate were calculated. The results showed elevated radionuclide concentrations, especially for 232Th, exceeding world average values. The study provides essential baseline data for assessing human exposure in these areas and highlights the need for further studies on internal and external dose estimation.
High Background Radiation Area (HBRA), Gamma spectrometry, Radium equivalent, Radiation hazard index