title: Study of natural radionuclide concentrations in an area of elevated radiation background in the northern districts of Bangladesh.
abstract: The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials in soil samples from an elevated radiation background area of three northern districts of Bangladesh were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The outdoor and indoor external effective dose rates and the radiation hazard indices from these soil activities were evaluated. The dose rates were found to be about four times higher than the reported world average value. The concentration of natural radionuclides, derived radium equivalent activities and the representative level indices were also found to be higher. Recommendations on radiological and dosimetric measures have been suggested with an aim of minimising the harmful effects of ionising radiation to the population of the area concerned.
authors.affiliation: Radioactivity Testing and Monitoring Laboratory, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Chittagong. rtl@globalctg.net
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Islam
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D001459:Bangladesh; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis; D017687:Radon Daughters / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D017687:Radon Daughters; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D013910:Thorium; D011886:Radon