"Study of the environmental radioactive pollution using different spectroscopic technique of the Suez region, Egypt"

Abstract

The thesis aimed to focuses some light on studies of radioactive pollution of the Suez region Egypt using different spectroscopic technique. Natural radiation arises in outer space, where cosmic rays are formed and on the earth where radionuclides present in soil, air, water and food. Other contributions depend strongly on human activities and practices, thus theHuman exposure occurs by irradiation from different sources. First, the concentration of the natural radionuclides in the studied samples weremeasured to find the specific radioactivity content of 238U- series, 232Th series and 40K by using a high resolution gamma ray spectrometer based on coaxial HPGe detector shielded by cylinders of lead, copper and cadmium. The analysis of data is completed by using a computerized analyzer fitted with a high multichannel analyzer with high level software programs. Second, radon has been measured by using solid state nuclear track detectors (CR-39). (SSNTDs) have been widely applied for the measurement of mean radon activities in human environments along the last decades because they have some important properties to be used as a detector like a good electrical insulator, stable when subjected to high doses of radiation and highly sensitive for α-particles. Twenty six samples were collected from different factories in El Sokhna and Suez city, Egypt, which classified into three categories soil, sediment and leaves. Calculate the radiological parameters (Radium equivalent activity Raeq, Radiation level index, External hazard index Hex, Internal hazard index Hin, Absorbed dose rate DR, Effective dose Eeff) and Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) , to make a comparison with the permissible international level. From the result analysis, the specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K were found to be lower than the permissible level for most samples except textile factory and the leaves around this factory . This may indicate that workers in this factory receive the highest total effective doses due to inhalation of dust containing radon. And the workers in that area hasmust be taken possible precautions and protection against the high radioactivity level. The results of measurements will serve as base line data and background reference level for El Sokhna and Suez city in Egypt. The area under investigation is safe except textile factory so workers in this factory must be careful and taking possible precautions and protection.