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Wheat flour is a dietary staple of Pakistani population. This study is mainly focused on the measurement of radioactivity concentration due to naturally occurring radioactive nuclides, uranium-238, thorium-232, potassium-40, and the corresponding hazardous radiological parameters, radium equivalent dose (Raeq), annual effective dose, internal hazard index (Hint), and ingestion effective activity \\(\\def\\upalpha{\\unicode[Times]{x3B1}}\\)\\(\\def\\upbeta{\\unicode[Times]{x3B2}}\\)\\(\\def\\upgamma{\\unicode[Times]{x3B3}}\\)\\(\\def\\updelta{\\unicode[Times]{x3B4}}\\)\\(\\def\\upvarepsilon{\\unicode[Times]{x3B5}}\\)\\(\\def\\upzeta{\\unicode[Times]{x3B6}}\\)\\(\\def\\upeta{\\unicode[Times]{x3B7}}\\)\\(\\def\\uptheta{\\unicode[Times]{x3B8}}\\)\\(\\def\\upiota{\\unicode[Times]{x3B9}}\\)\\(\\def\\upkappa{\\unicode[Times]{x3BA}}\\)\\(\\def\\uplambda{\\unicode[Times]{x3BB}}\\)\\(\\def\\upmu{\\unicode[Times]{x3BC}}\\)\\(\\def\\upnu{\\unicode[Times]{x3BD}}\\)\\(\\def\\upxi{\\unicode[Times]{x3BE}}\\)\\(\\def\\upomicron{\\unicode[Times]{x3BF}}\\)\\(\\def\\uppi{\\unicode[Times]{x3C0}}\\)\\(\\def\\uprho{\\unicode[Times]{x3C1}}\\)\\(\\def\\upsigma{\\unicode[Times]{x3C3}}\\)\\(\\def\\uptau{\\unicode[Times]{x3C4}}\\)\\(\\def\\upupsilon{\\unicode[Times]{x3C5}}\\)\\(\\def\\upphi{\\unicode[Times]{x3C6}}\\)\\(\\def\\upchi{\\unicode[Times]{x3C7}}\\)\\(\\def\\uppsy{\\unicode[Times]{x3C8}}\\)\\(\\def\\upomega{\\unicode[Times]{x3C9}}\\)\\(\\def\\bialpha{\\boldsymbol{\\alpha}}\\)\\(\\def\\bibeta{\\boldsymbol{\\beta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bigamma{\\boldsymbol{\\gamma}}\\)\\(\\def\\bidelta{\\boldsymbol{\\delta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bivarepsilon{\\boldsymbol{\\varepsilon}}\\)\\(\\def\\bizeta{\\boldsymbol{\\zeta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bieta{\\boldsymbol{\\eta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bitheta{\\boldsymbol{\\theta}}\\)\\(\\def\\biiota{\\\boldsymbol{\\iota}}\\)\\(\\def\\bikappa{\\boldsymbol{\\kappa}}\\)\\(\\def\\bilambda{\\boldsymbol{\\lambda}}\\)\\(\\def\\\bimu{\\boldsymbol{\\mu}}\\)\\(\\def\\binu{\\boldsymbol{\\nu}}\\)\\(\\def\\bixi{\\boldsymbol{\\xi}}\\)\\(\\def\\biomicron{\\boldsymbol{\\micron}}\\)\\(\\def\\bipi{\\boldsymbol{\\pi}}\\)\\(\\def\\birho{\\boldsymbol{\\rho}}\\)\\(\\def\\bisigma{\\boldsymbol{\\sigma}}\\)\\(\\def\\bitau{\\boldsymbol{\\\tau}}\\)\\(\\def\\biupsilon{\\boldsymbol{\\upsilon}}\\)\\(\\def\\biphi{\\boldsymbol{\\phi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bichi{\\boldsymbol{\\chi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bipsy{\\boldsymbol{\\psy}}\\)\\(\\def\\biomega{\\boldsymbol{\\omega}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupalpha{\\bf{\\alpha}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupbeta{\\bf{\\beta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupgamma{\\bf{\\gamma}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupdelta{\\bf{\\delta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupvarepsilon{\\bf{\\varepsilon}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupzeta{\\bf{\\zeta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupeta{\\bf{\\eta}}\\)\\(\\def\\buptheta{\\bf{\\theta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupiota{\\bf{\\iota}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupkappa{\\bf{\\kappa}}\\)\\(\\def\\\buplambda{\\bf{\\lambda}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupmu{\\bf{\\mu}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupnu{\\bf{\\nu}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupxi{\\bf{\\xi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupomicron{\\bf{\\micron}}\\)\\(\\def\\buppi{\\bf{\\pi}}\\)\\(\\def\\buprho{\\bf{\\rho}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupsigma{\\bf{\\sigma}}\\)\\(\\def\\buptau{\\bf{\\tau}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupupsilon{\\bf{\\upsilon}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupphi{\\bf{\\phi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupchi{\\bf{\\chi}}\\)\\(\\def\\buppsy{\\bf{\\psy}}\\)\\(\\def\\bupomega{\\bf{\\omega}}\\)\\(\\def\\bGamma{\\bf{\\Gamma}}\\)\\(\\def\\bDelta{\\bf{\\Delta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bTheta{\\bf{\\Theta}}\\)\\(\\def\\bLambda{\\bf{\\Lambda}}\\)\\(\\def\\bXi{\\bf{\\Xi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bPi{\\bf{\\Pi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bSigma{\\bf{\\Sigma}}\\)\\(\\def\\bPhi{\\bf{\\Phi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bPsi{\\bf{\\Psi}}\\)\\(\\def\\bOmega{\\bf{\\Omega}}\\)\\(\\left( {{I_{o,x}}} \\right)\\) in 12 local brands of wheat flour retailed throughout Pakistan. The radiometric assessment was performed by using a high-purity germanium detector. The specific activities (means ± standard deviations) of uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40 were found to be 5.7 ± 0.41, 1.9 ± 0.02, and 132.4 ± 0.82 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean values of the corresponding radiometric variables, Raeq, Hint, and Io,x (sum), were also found to be 18.651 Bq/kg, 0.313 mSv/year, and 0.213 mSv/year, respectively. The total mean annual effective dose due to the presence of the aforementioned radionuclides in the collected samples was found to be 213.1 μSv/year, which is less than 1.00 mSv/year that is recommended by the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency. Thus, the natural radioactivity mass concentrations and the corresponding radiological variables were found to be below the recommended specific values and have no health risks for consumers.

The aim of this study is to measure the natural radioactivity concentration in the soil samples of the kifl area by using NaI(Tl) detector. The levels of natural radioactivity were measured for 26 samples in Kifl district for three different depths (0-5) cm, (5-15) cm, (15-20). The average specific activity of potassium-40, thorium-232 and uranium-238 were (140±1.82, 14.28±0.59 and 8.50±0.47) Bq/kg in depth (0-5) cm, (134.28±1.78, 13.64±0.59 and 7.31±0.44) Bq/kg in depth (5-15) cm, (127.36 ±1.73, 12.72±0.55 and 6±0.419) Bq/kg in depth (15-20) cm. The results of the study were within the permissible limits when compared with the values on UNSCEAR organization (412 for 40K, 35 for 238U, 45 for 232Th, 370 for Raeq, <1 for H(ex), <1 for H(in), 6 for Iγ, 59 for D(out), 84 for D(in), 0.07 for AEDE(out) and 0.4 for AEDE(in).

The beach placer deposits in the southern coastal Orissa, India may have significant levels of radiation due to the presence of Th and U bearing minerals such as monazite and zircon. In this study, Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach regions were selected to study the ambient radiation environment. The average activity concentrations of radioactive elements such as 232 Th, 238 U and 40 K of beach sand samples were measured by γ-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector, and found to be much higher than the internationally accepted values. The cross plots of eTh/eU and eTh/K inferred that the sand samples of Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach placer deposit were deposited in leached uranium and an oxidising environment. The absorbed γ dose rate levels of the study areas are similar to other monazite sand-bearing HBRAs of southern and southwestern coastal regions of India and of world. Different radiation hazard indices were estimated for the present study area and were found to be much higher than the internationally accepted values. Hence, Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach placer region can be considered as a high background radiation area and a potential zone for radiogenic heavy mineral exploration.

Radiological studies to determine the health hazard associated with concentrations of natural radionuclides²²⁶Ra,²³²Th and⁴⁰K in soils of northern part of Pahang state Malaysia were conducted. In situ measurement for external gamma radiation and soil samples was taken from different locations covering the entire districts of the study area. The in situ measurements were conducted using NaI[Ti] detector. The mean terrestrial gamma dose rate (TGDR) was found to be 185 ± 7 nGy h⁻¹. The soil samples were measured using high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) and analyzed using Genie2000 software. The results obtained shows that the mean activity concentrations of the radionuclides²²⁶Ra,²³²Th and⁴⁰K in the area were 117 ± 4, 151 ± 5 and 622 ± 57 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The Radium equivalent activities (Rₑq), External hazard index (Hₑₓ) and Annual Effective Dose (AED) out doors were also found to be 380 Bq kg⁻¹, 1.027 and 0.210 mSv year⁻¹, respectively. The results were compared with values given in United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000).

Indoor air pollution hasn't received the same attention, even though it might cause almost as many deaths globally - 3.2 million in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), compared with around 3.5 million linked to polluted outdoor air (see go.nature.com/3jngf7x). By contrast, global recommendations for how countries should assess and manage their outdoor air quality, made by the WHO, the United Nations Environment Programme and others, have been widely adopted. Carbon monoxide is released from incomplete combustion, formaldehyde from building materials and glues, and radon from natural radioactivity in bedrock beneath buildings. Most epidemiological studies that link air pollution to health impacts have been conducted on data sets based on outdoor air quality.

Wadi Nassib, Egypt, has significantly higher natural radiation levels compared to global averages, particularly in uranium, thorium, radium, and potassium. This raises concerns for resident health due to potential radiation exposure. The study suggests these elements may have different origins and emphasizes the need for monitoring and managing such elevated natural radioactivity.

In this paper, we report an extensive survey of the natural radioactive content of rocks of the Tuscany Region (Italy): this permitted the first total natural radioactivity map of the region. The sampling was planned using the geological map of Tuscany at scale 1:250,000, which contains 45 distinct geological groups recognized by tectonic and stratigraphic features. Each geological group was characterized for the total activity by measuring the activity concentrations of 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th in 865 samples using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer. The average areal distribution of samples is approximately one sample per 25 km 2 . The radiometric map was constructed through the reclassification of each geological formation based on the median value of the total activity. Seven classes of total activity are identified by choosing percentiles almost evenly spread across the range of values. This map represents the starting point for future studies on natural background radiation, geochemical processes and epidemiological investigations.

This research focuses on measuring of specific activity of natural radioactive sources ( 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K) in some types of secondary ceilings that used as a decorate material and available in Iraqi markets. The measurements were done using gamma ray spectroscopy system that based on NaI(Tl) Detector. Also, the radiological hazard indices have been assessed for all samples in present study. The results show that the specific activity vary from 8.7±0.6 to 32.9±2.3 Bq/kg for 238 U, 2.9±0.2 to 40.3±1.5 Bq/kg for 232 Th, and 117.4±2.6 to 649.1±7.9Bq/kg for 40 K. The latter levels were compared with the world mean values that reported by the UNSCEAR 2008. It was found that all values of 238 U and 232 Th were below the world wide published values, while the values of only two samples of 40 K were above the upper range of the world wide published values. Regarding the average values of radiological hazard risk were found to be within the permissible limit according to the OECD, UNSCEAR 2000, and ICRP. It can be concluded that natural radioactivity levels together with radiological hazard risk studied from the most of the secondary ceilings samples available in local markets of Iraq within natural rates of permissible limits and may not cause any danger to the human when being used.

Multimod’Air is a demonstrator of a mobile and energy self-sufficient platform for environmental measurement in any place of interest from cities, rural or industrial outdoor areas. The platform comprises a dozen of detectors including gaseous pollutant and fine particle sensors for pollution monitoring, as well as a complete weather station (rainfall intensity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, temperature, solar irradiance and more) and gamma-ray monitors. The paper is specifically devoted to the gamma ray detectors for radiation monitoring with a focus on their architecture, real time and offline data analysis process and performance. Two different and complementary gamma ray monitors have been designed and integrated. The first prototype operates a Kromek GR1+ detectors while the second relies on the advanced multichannel Caliste-O detector technology initially designed for astrophysics applications and recently used for nuclear monitoring ground applications. Both detectors’ electronics are coupled to a local ODROID XU4 microcomputer for data acquisition, management and communication. While GR1+ detector sends an integrated spectrum every minute, Caliste-O both sends aggregated spectra over all channels every minute and photon event list on demand. The two autonomous prototypes have been successfully tested outdoors, and the results of the measurements are presented.

The radioactivity concentration and the natural gamma absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial radionuclides (226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K) have been measured in soil samples collected from Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, Manipur, India, using high purity germanium detector. The range of activity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in the soil from the studied areas varies from 28.7 Bq/kg (Thoubal College) to 126.0 Bq/kg (Kakching Khunou College), 27.2 Bq/kg (Ikop Pat) to 203.5 Bq/Kg (Kakching Khunou College), and 335.6 Bq/kg (Nongpok Sekmai) to 1953.9 Bq/kg (Mantak) with overall mean values of 69.8, 76.6, and 1028.0 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activities (Raeq ) have been evaluated in soil samples for the assessment of the radiation hazard. The corresponding absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and external radiation hazard index in the study area range from 54.5 to 239.3 nGyh-1 , 0.3 to 1.5 mSv, and 0.3 to 1.4 with an average value of 121.4 nGyh-1 , 0.7 mSv, and 0.7, respectively.