Ambient gamma radiation level around Kaveri river basin, Karnataka state, India.

Studies on ambient gamma radiation in indoor and outdoor environment and their effect on human health have created interest among the researchers across the world. The present study represents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates around the Kaveri river basin from Talakaveri (Madikeri district) to Mekedatu (Ramanagara district) by using portable Environmental Radiation Dosemeter. The annual effective dose in the present study area varies between 0.14 mSv.y-1 and 0.58 mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.30 mSv.y-1 for indoor radiation. The outdoor annual effective dose ranged between 0.01 mSv.y-1 and 0.14 mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.06 mSv.y-1. The total annual effective dose varies from 0.17 to 0.72 mSv.y-1 with an average value of 0.36 mSv.y-1. The calculated values of indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in the study area (are found to be lower than the world average values (1 mSv.y-1 and 0.48 mSv.y-1).