Assessment of indoor radiation dose received by the residents of natural high background radiation areas of coastal villages of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India

► The effective dose received by the villages of Natural High Background Area (NHBRA) such as Enayam, Midalam and Mel Midalam is high when compared with other study areas. ► The high dose indicates higher concentration of radioactive nuclides like Thorium and Uranium in the soil. ► As radiation is harmful to human life, the external and internal doses can be reduced by removing the monazite content present in the soil by mineral separation. ► Contribution from vegetables, fruits, fish and other non vegetarian items are also being examined. ► These results along with other socio-economic factors can throw considerable light on the epidemiological impacts due to low levels of chronic exposure.