Outdoor γ-radiation: seasonal variation and health risk assessment associated with its exposure in northern districts of Haryana, India

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 333; no. 6; pp. 2843 - 2855
• Main Authors: Tanwer, Naresh, Anand, Poonam, Kant, Krishan, Singh, Bhupender, Laura, Jitender Singh, Khosla, Babita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry; Risk assessment; S.i. : Radnet-IV; Seasonal variations; AED; γ-radiation; Heath risk; Seasonal variation; ELCR; India
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-023-09085-y

A study was conducted for the measurement of outdoor gamma dose rate (GDR) using a radiation monitor, based on Geiger-Muller technique, in Karnal, Kaithal, and Kurukshetra districts of Haryana at 214 locations during post and premonsoon season. The γ-dose rate was found to be in the range of 70 ± 4–267 ± 13 nSv/h. The data was statistical analysed and distribution was interpolated using ArcGIS software. The annual effective dose (AED) due to outdoor γ-radiation in Karnal, Kaithal, and Kurukshetra districts was computed to be in the range of 0.086 ± 0.004–0.327 ± 0.016 mSv/y. The value of excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was found to be in the range of 0.322 × 10 −3 –1.228 × 10 −3 .