Radiological health assessment due to gamma radiation levels of natural radioactivity of soil in vicinity of Nichahoma lignite belt, Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Abstract The measurements of activity concentrations in soil of the lignite belt and soil of the villages surrounding the lignite belt have been carried out in order to present the radiological health hazards due to gamma radiation levels of the soil to general public. A low- background Pb-shielded gamma spectroscopic counting assembly utilizing NaI(Tl) detector was employed for the measurements. The activity concentration of radionuclides have been determined and compared with the international and national recommended values. A correlation analysis was also performed in order to predict the contribution of the respective nuclides towards the measured dose rate and to the find the existence of these radioactive nuclides together in the study area.