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

Radioactivity levels in soil samples, collected from mid Rechna interfluvial region, Pakistan have been estimated by using gamma ray spectrometric technique. 226Ra, 232Th, the primordial radionuclide 40K and the artificial radionuclide 137Cs have been measured in the soil of the study area. The mean radioactivity levels of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were found to be 49.0 ± 1.6, 62.4 ± 3.2, 670.6 ± 33.9 and 3.5 ± 0.4 Bq kg−1 respectively. The mean radium equivalent activity (Raeq), 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 189.9 ± 8.8 Bq kg−1, 0.51, 0.65 and 70.1 nGy h−1 respectively. The annual effective dose to the public was estimated to be 0.43 mSv. The measured values are comparable with other global radioactivity measurements and are found to be safe for public and environment.