Measurement of Radioactivity Concentrations and Analysis of Radiation Hazards for Environmental and Industrial Samples Collected from Different Parts of Ethiopia
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Date
2025-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this study, the activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in various environmental and industrial product samples were determined using a gamma detection system. The industrial samples analyzed included cement raw materials and finished products, while the environmental samples comprised soil samples and medicinal plants. The measured mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the cement raw materials and products were found to be 21.1 ± 0.995, 53.2±2.9, and 304±13.8Bqkg−1, respectively. For soil samples from Mekelle City, the corresponding mean activity concentrations were 25.035±1.788, 53.091±4.22, and 371.34±14.26Bqkg−1, respectively.
The mean specific activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples from the districts ofMenge, Sherkole, Assosa, and Bambasiwere determined as follows: for Menge, 24±1.2, 36.15±2, and 275.5±13.3Bqkg−1; for Sherkole, 35.14±1.77, 47.3±2.7, and 146±7.2Bqkg−1; for Assosa, 45.2±2.3, 70±3.8, and 238.8±11.6Bqkg−1; and for Bambasi, 61±3.2, 89.2±5.3, and 237.7±12.7Bqkg−1. Regarding the medicinal plants, the mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 7.82±0.04, 28.67±2.66, and 579.4±1.37Bqkg−1, respectively.
The study also estimated the absorbed dose rate (D(nGyh−1)), the annual effective dose rate (E (mSvy−1)), the gamma index (Iγ), the hazard indices (Hex and Hin), and the excessive lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Notably, the specific activity concentration of 40K in Moringa oleifera exceeded the recommended safe limit. Meanwhile, the measured mean radioactivity concentrations in the Mekelle soil, Messebo cement raw materials, and cement products were below the safe values of 35, 30, and 400 Bqkg−1 for 226Ra/238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. However, the mean concentrations in soil samples from the Assosa, Bambasi, Menge, and Sherkole districts exceeded these safe values. Consequently, such elevated concentrations pose potential health risks, and continuous monitoring is recommended.
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Cement Hpge Detector Gamma-Ray Medicinal Plant Radioactivity Radionuclide Soil