Title: Radioactivity and radiation hazard evaluation in the environment of coastal Kerala, India

Authors: P.K. Shetty, Y. Narayana

Addresses: Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri – 574 199, Mangalore, India. ' Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri – 574 199, Mangalore, India

Abstract: Systematic investigations on the radiation level and distribution of natural radionuclides in the soils and sands of coastal Kerala were carried out to evaluate the radiation hazard. The gamma-dose rate in the high background area of coastal Kerala is exceptionally high compared with normal background areas. The activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K in soil and sand samples of coastal Kerala are comparable with the literature values reported for the other environs as well as the world average values, when high background areas are excluded. However, the ²³²Th activity in high background areas is orders of magnitude higher. The radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, internal hazard index and the annual gonadal dose equivalent associated with the radionuclides were calculated and compared with international recommended values to assess the radiation hazard.

Keywords: natural radionuclides; radiation hazards; ²³²Th; gamma-dose rates; soils; radioactivity; low radiation; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2007.015815

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.189 - 199

Published online: 20 Nov 2007 *

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