Natural radiation background in the ancient city of Palmyra

Natural radiation background has been determined for the Ancient City of Palmyra and its surrounding areas. Car-borne gamma spectrometry, indoor radon gas concentration and natural radionuclides levels in environmental samples (soil, water and plants) have been determined. Two types of dwelling were involved in this study, one with cancer cases, and the others without. The results showed that indoor radon gas concentrations and radiation exposure rates are within reported mean background levels in Syria (45 Bq m−3 and less than 0.1 μSv h−1, respectively); no differences were noticed between the dwelling groups. In addition, the results did not indicate any relation between recorded cancers and measured natural radioactivity.

► This work presents natural radiation measured in the ancient city of Palmyra.
► It was found that indoor Rn and radiation exposure rates are within Syrian BG levels.
► Results showed no relation between recorded cancers and radioactivity in the city.