title: New findings: a very high natural radiation area in Afra hot springs, Jordan.
abstract: A high natural radiation zone was investigated for the first time in Afra hot springs of Jordan. The radiation levels were measured using a portable Geiger-Muller counter and an Na(Tl) detector. The measured absorbed dose rates in air ranged from 10 to 1800 nGy h(-1), suggesting that the concentration of natural radioactive materials is very high compared with their normal abundance in crustal rocks. A single high-radiation zone was also found in a nearby area where a gamma radiation dose rate of 4.0 mGy h(-1) was measured. On the basis of this measurement, the area was marked as a high-radiation zone. This region is far from tourist areas and not easily reached. No intervention measures are needed to protect people because the spa area is not well inhabited, having only daily visitors (average frequency of 10 days per year per individual). The dose received by workers in the spa area should be considered and the worker should be monitored by personal radiation dosimeters, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters.
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Tafila Technical University, Tafila, Jordan. awajlouni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Abdul-Wali
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ajlouni
authors.forename: Manal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelsalam
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abu-Haija
authors.forename: Bassam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Joudeh
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D045482:Hot Springs / Q000737:chemistry*; D007597:Jordan; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive