Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10686811 | Journal of Environmental Radioactivity | 2005 | 14 Pages |
Abstract
The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K have been measured by gamma spectroscopy (sodium iodide NaI(Tl) detector) in phosphate rock samples, collected from the Wadi El-Mashash, a site located in the central eastern desert, and El-Mahamid in the Nile valley, Egypt. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K (Bq kgâ1) in phosphate rocks were 665.8 ± 33.4, 329.4 ± 17 and 587.6 ± 29.4 for Wadi El-Mashash and 566.8 ± 28.6, 217.3 ± 11.8 and 560.1 ± 28 for El-Mahamid, respectively. The corresponding values for shale rocks were 85.2 ± 5.7, 93.3 ± 5.6 and 303.1 ± 15.2 Bq kgâ1, respectively. As a measure of radiation hazard to the occupational workers and public, the Ra equivalent activities, representative level index and dose rates due to natural radionuclides at 1 m above the ground surface were estimated. The calculated external γ-radiation dose received by the workers of the phosphate mine are 538 and 418 μSv/y, which is far below the permitted dose of 20 mSv/y recommended by the International Commission of Radiation Protection [ICRP-60, 1990. Radiation Protection: 1990 Recommendation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Oxford, Pergamon Preis.] for workers.
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Authors
Adel G.E. Abbady, M.A.M. Uosif, A. El-Taher,