Natural Radioactivity in Soil, Associated Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risk to Population of Eastern Haryana, India
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Date
2019
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Geological Society of India
Abstract
This study was undertaken to quantify the natural radioactivity in soil and associated radiation exposure to the inhabitants residing in Sonipat district, Haryana, India. A total of 120 soil samples were collected from 30 villages. These soil samples were quantified for naturally occurring radioactive materials activity using HPGe detector. Activity concentration of 40K, 232Th and 226Ra in the soil samples of study area ranged from 463.8�696.9 Bq kg?1, 31.4�37.9 Bq kg?1and 41.5�54.9 Bq kg?1, respectively. Radium equivalent (Raeq) values of all samples are lesser than maximum permissible limit (370 Bq kg�1) acceptable for safer use of soil as building material. Average value of Air absorbed dose (AAD) in the study area was comparable to the Indian average of 64 nGy h?1. Annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) in the study area was 0.0831 �Sv y?1 that is lower than the global average of 70.0 �Sv y?1. Annual Gonadal equivalent dose in study area was within the safe limit (1 �Sv y?1). Excess life time cancer risk due to natural radioactivity of soil to population of area is negligibly small. Values of Gamma index (I�), outside hazard index (Hex) and inside hazard index (Hin) are less than unity, indicating that there is no considerable health risk caused by natural radioactivity in soil in the study area. � 2019, GEOL. SOC. INDIA.