title: Measurements and comparisons of gamma radiation doses in a high and a low (137)Cs deposition area in Sweden.
abstract: Sweden is one of the countries affected by the Chernobyl fallout. The aim of the present study was to investigate the average radiation dose to people living in a high-deposition area (the parish of Hille) in Sweden for comparison with dose rates previously measured in a low-deposition area in western Sweden. Individual measurements (personal and dwelling dose rates) were performed using thermoluminescence dosimeters in 24 randomly chosen individuals. Dwelling and personal dose rates in Hille were 0.12 and 0.11 microSv/h, respectively. The dose rates in Hille were slightly higher than in western Sweden (difference for detached houses=0.024 microSv/h for personal and 0.030 microSv/h for dwelling dose rates), partly because of the higher (137)Cs deposition. In wooden houses, the difference was somewhat greater. Our results indicate a current contribution to personal gamma radiation in this area of about 0.2 mSv per year from the Chernobyl fallout.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Physics, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. sara.almgren@radfys.gu.se
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Almgren
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregård
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isaksson
mesh_terms: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes