Measurement of soil radioactivity levels and radiation hazard assessment in southern Rechna interfluvial region, Pakistan

Rechna interfluvial region is one of the main regions of Punjab, Pakistan. It is the area which is lying between River Ravi and River Chenab, alluvial-filled. Radioactivity levels in soil samples, collected from southern Rechna interfluvial region, Pakistan, have been estimated by using gamma-ray spectrometric technique. Ra-226, Th-232, the primordial radionuclide K-40, and the artificial radionuclide Cs-137 have been measured in the soil of the study area. The mean radioactivity levels of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and Cs-137 were found to be 50.6 +/- 1.7, 62.3 +/- 3.2, 662.2 +/- 32.1, and 3.1 +/- 0.3 Bq kg (-aEuro parts per thousand 1), respectively. The mean radium equivalent activity (Ra-eq), outdoor radiation hazard index (H (out)), indoor radiation hazard index (H (in)), and terrestrial absorbed dose rate for the area under study were determined as 190.8 +/- 8.7 Bq kg (-aEuro parts per thousand 1), 0.52, 0.65, and 69.8 nGy h (-aEuro parts per thousand 1), respectively. The annual effective dose to the general public was found to be 0.43 mSv. This value lies well below the limit of 1 mSv for general public as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The measured values are comparable with other global radioactivity measurements and are found to be safe for the public and the environment.