Radon level and indoor gamma doses in dwellings of Trabzon, Turkey

The seasonal variations of the indoor radon activity concentrations were determined in the 97 dwellings of Trabzon, Turkey. The annual average indoor radon activity concentration varied from 8 to 583 Bq/m3. The average winter/summer ratio of radon activity concentrations was 3.62. The gamma activity concentrations in the soil samples were determined as 41, 38, 443 and 25 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs, respectively. The average gamma dose rate in air and the annual effective dose equivalent for outdoor occupancy were calculated as 63 nGy/h and 77 μSv/y, respectively.

► This study sheds light on the indoor radon activities in dwellings and radionuclides in oil samples.
► Indoor radon activities were investigated according to the seasonal variation and the floor number.
► Average gamma dose rate in air and the annual effective dose equivalent were calculated.
► Results will be valuable database for future estimations of the impact of radioactive pollution.