Assessment of radioactivity in soil samples from Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia: implications for environmental and public health.

IF 0.8 4区环境科学与生态学 Q4 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Radiation protection dosimetry Pub Date : 2025-01-23 DOI:10.1093/rpd/ncaf002

Nigus Maregu Demewoz, Lingerew Nebere Kassie, Hailu Geremew Zeleke

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study assesses the activity concentrations of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples collected from Wolaita Sodo town, located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' (SNNP) Region, Ethiopia. A gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with a NaI(Tl) detector was used for the measurements. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K varied from 3.25 ± 1.5 to 13.84 ± 2.2 Bq.kg-1, 0.4 ± 0.9 to 85.12 ± 3.4 Bq.kg-1, and 34.43 ± 2.7 to 748.07 ± 5.9 Bq.kg-1, respectively. The average activity concentrations were 7.83 ± 1.9 Bq.kg-1, 40.74 ± 2.7 Bq.kg-1, and 161.63 ± 3.9 Bq.kg-1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The average radium equivalent activity was 192.25 Bq.kg-1, well below the recommended safety limit of 370 Bq.kg-1. The average gamma dose rate, and annual effective dose rate were 35.68 nGy.h-1, and 0.18 mSv.y-1, respectively. The internal and external indexes are below the recommended limit set by UNSCEAR and ICRP. However, the estimated excess lifetime cancer risk and indoor radon concentrations are slightly higher. Despite this, the overall radiological impact on the environment and public health in the study area remains negligible. This study provides valuable baseline data for radiation protection and informs urban and environmental policy in the region.

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来源期刊

Radiation protection dosimetry 环境科学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

1.40

自引率

10.00%

发文量

223

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Radiation Protection Dosimetry covers all aspects of personal and environmental dosimetry and monitoring, for both ionising and non-ionising radiations. This includes biological aspects, physical concepts, biophysical dosimetry, external and internal personal dosimetry and monitoring, environmental and workplace monitoring, accident dosimetry, and dosimetry related to the protection of patients. Particular emphasis is placed on papers covering the fundamentals of dosimetry; units, radiation quantities and conversion factors. Papers covering archaeological dating are included only if the fundamental measurement method or technique, such as thermoluminescence, has direct application to personal dosimetry measurements. Papers covering the dosimetric aspects of radon or other naturally occurring radioactive materials and low level radiation are included. Animal experiments and ecological sample measurements are not included unless there is a significant relevant content reason.