Radiological Risk Assessment due to Environmental Radioactivity

In the book, uranium concentration has been determined in groundwater samples of Northern Rajasthan, India using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser fluorimetry (LF) techniques. The concentration of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and associated dose rates have been determined in soil samples using gamma-ray spectrometry. The RAD7 an electronic radon detector manufactured by Durridge Company has been used for the measurement of radon concentration in the groundwater samples. The annual effective doses due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in drinking water were also evaluated. Indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) concentrations have been measured in dwellings of Northern Rajasthan using LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) based on pin-hole dosimeters (passive technique) and RAD7 an electronic radon detector (active technique). The annual effective doses received by the residents of the studied area were also evaluated. The detailed investigations of the natural radiation studies in the environs of Northern Rajasthan, India have been carried out for the first time.