The Impact of Long-Lived Gamma Emitters on Human Health in Selected Soil Samples at Karbala UniversityFariha Site

Ali Abid Abojasim,

Published on: 2020-03-30

Abstract

When people are exposed to certain levels of 238U, 232Th and 40K for a long period of time cancer of the bone and hazard cavity may result. Radiation causes damage in living tissue by ionization of the atoms and molecules which make up the constituent cells. The soil is one of the most of natural sources of ionizing radiation radioactivity nuclides such as uranium-238(238U) series nuclides as well as a series of thorium-232(232Th) in addition to the isotope potassium-40 (40K), so it must be studied to see the changes in the doses of human exposure. In present study, Soil samples were collected from different locations of Karbala University Fariha site, the specific activity of natural radionuclides for soil samples were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy with NaI(Tl) “3×3” detector. Moreover, Radiological hazard index in all samples such as (radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), representative level index (Iγr), alpha index (Iα), Exposure rate (?), absorbed dose rate in air (Dr), annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED), annual effective dose equivalent outdoor, and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR)) were calculated. The results show that, the values of specific activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K in Bq/kg were ranged from 10 to 23, from 2 to 12 and from 100 to 500 respectively. All results of radiological hazard index due to natural radioactivity within the acceptable level as indicated by UNSCEAR, OCDE and ICRP. Therefore, there is no significant radiological hazard in Karbala University- Fariha site.

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