New findings in the very high natural radiation area of Ramsar, Iran

Ramsar, a northern coastal city of Iran, has some high levels of natural radiation areas (HLNRAs) as well as about 50 hot springs with low and high radium contents usually used for medical treatment purposes. Different radiological measurements, as well as cytogenetical, immunological and preliminary biological and epidemiological studies have already been performed in this region. The purpose of this study is to review new findings in very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, in order to identify information relevant to exposures in these areas and the potential and known impacts of such exposures on public health, and also to make recommendations for further studies. At present, there is no reliable radio-epidemiological data regarding the incidence of cancer in HLNRAs of Ramsar. In this regard, more extensive researches are invited, in particular on epidemiology and radiobiology as well as on internal dose assessment.