High background radiation areas at Çanakkale in Turkey

Abstract Background radiation was measured at the Canakkale region in Turkey as a part of a general surveying program for evaluation of the environmental radioactivity by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA). Results of the survey showed that dose rates at some spas and beaches were higher than general values. Hantepe beach was one of such locations and had the highest dose rates. Black sand spots showed dose rates in the range of 0.20–10.1 and 0.23–3.5 μGy/h at the contact and 1 m above ground, respectively. The mean dose rate was found 1.4 μGy/h at the contact and 1.0 μGy/h 1 m above ground. According to the dose conversion factor to the effective dose and outdoor occupancy ratio given by UNSCEAR, 2000 , the effective dose rate in outdoor environment was found to be 1.2 mSv/y.