Radionuclide Concentration in Some Environmental Samples from Red Sea Coast And its Associated Health Hazards

Abstract

The specific concentration and activity levels of six main coastal regions (all lies along the Western Coast of Suez Gulf) where studied. Twenty-two soil samples were collected from the investigated regions. These regions are Ain Sokhina, Al Zafrana, Ras Gharib, Ras Shokeir, Gebel El Zeit and Hurghada. Using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, analysis of the collected samples has been carried out to determine the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in samples. Moreover, radon exhalation rates, effective radium content and radon emanation power were measured by using SSNTDs in the form of CR-39. The obtained average concentrations values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were lower than the national and worldwide average values also the average radium equivalent activity value was below the defined limit of 370 Bq/kg. The external and internal hazard indices were found to be less than 1, indicating low radiation doses. Also, it was found that samples have exhalation rates comparable with the worldwide average values. In general the activity levels of the studied regions are within the worldwide average and the public received doses within the safe limit of exposure. l