VARIATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GAMMA DOSE RATE IN THE LESSER HIMALAYAN REGION OF INDIA

AbstractThe exposure of natural background radiation imparts a major contribution to inhalation doses received by the general population, and its amount relies upon the lithology, altitude, and building construction materials. The preliminary results of ambient indoor and outdoor gammaray dose rate of Jammu and Kashmir, India are presented. Estimations of indoor/outdoor environmental exposures were carried out utilizing a portable Gamma Survey Meter. For the outdoor environment, the minimum and maximum gamma dose rate were 0.11 and 0.29µSv/h, whereas, for indoor conditions, the minimum and maximum gamma dose rates were 0.1 and 0.22µSv/h, respectively. Impact of elevation on estimated estimations of gamma dose rates has likewise been examined. Measured values of gamma dose rates demonstrate a weak positive relationship with altitude. Effects of lithology on indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates have likewise been investigated. The average estimation of annual effective dose from background gamma radiations were well within the possible range and does not cause a health hazard to the occupants.

Keywords: Gamma dose rate, exposure, Annual Effective dose, indoor/outdoor environment,