Evaluation of radiological risk associated with local building materials commonly used in Northwestern Nigeria.

In this study, potential radiological risk due to the activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides (Ra, Th, and K) in commonly used local building materials (sand, clay, kaolin and gypsum) in Northwestern Nigeria were assessed using NaI (Tl) detector. The measured activity concentrations ranged from 47 to 63 Bq kg for Ra, 24-32 Bq kg for Th, and 219-257 Bq kg for K respectively. The mean values of Th, and K for all samples were below the respective world averages of 45 and 420 Bq kg with that of Ra for all the samples higher than the world average value of 32 Bq kg.

assessment of terrestrial gamma radiation dose and associated radiological hazards in Katsina State, Nigeria.

Terrestrial gamma radiation dose (TGRD) rates were measured from different locations in Katsina State, Nigeria, using a portable radiation survey metre based on geological formations and soil types. The measured TGRD rates ranged from 45 to 271 nGyh with an average value of 116 ± 1 nGyh. Geological formation (silicified sheared rock) and soil type (lithosols and ferruginous crusts and ferruginous tropical soils) appeared to have the highest mean TGRD values of 163 and 134 nGyh with sandstone geological formation and alluvial and hydromorphic soils having the lowest TGRD with values of 80 and 61 nGyh, respectively.

Natural radioactivity measurements in Pahang State, Malaysia.

This study was aimed at providing the baseline data of terrestrial gamma dose rates and natural radioactivity to assess the corresponding health risk in the ambient environment of the Pahang State. Terrestrial gamma radiation (TGR) from 640 locations was measured with the mean value found to be 176 ± 5 nGy h(-1). Ninety-eight soil samples were analysed using a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe), and the mean concentrations of the radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K are 110 ± 3, 151 ± 5 and 542 ± 51 Bq kg(-1), respectively.

Radiological mapping of Kelantan, Malaysia, using terrestrial radiation dose rate.

Measurements of the environmental terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate (TGRD) in each district of Kelantan state, Malaysia, were carried out using a portable hand-held radiation survey meter and global positioning system. The measurements were done based on geology and soil types of the area. The mean TGRD was found to be 209 nGy h(-1).

Health and ecological hazards due to natural radioactivity in soil from mining areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Nasarawa State is located in north central Nigeria and it is known as Nigeria's home of solid minerals. It is endowed with barite, copper, zinc, tantalite and granite. Continuous releases of mining waste and tailings into the biosphere may result in a build-up of radionuclides in air, water and soil.

Fukushima nuclear accident: preliminary assessment of the risks to non-human biota.

This study assesses the 'radio-ecological' impacts of Fukushima nuclear accident on non-human biota using the ERICA Tool, which adopts an internationally verified methodology. The paper estimates the impacts of the accident on terrestrial and marine biota based on the environmental data reported in literature for Japan, China, South Korea and the USA. Discernible impacts have been detected in the marine biota around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.