This study assesses the level of background radiation for Kayseri province of Turkey. Natural radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were determined using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. Outdoor gamma dose measurements in air at 1 m above ground level were determined using a portable gamma scintillation detector. The obtained results of uranium and thorium series as well as potassium ((40)K) are discussed. The present data were compared with the data obtained from different areas in Turkey. From the measured gamma-ray spectra, the average activity concentrations were determined for (238)U (range from 3.91 to 794.25 Bq kg(-1)), (232)Th (range from 0.68 to 245.55 Bq kg(-1)) and (40)K (range from 23.68 to 2718.71 Bq kg(-1)). The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be 35.51, 37.27 and 429.66 Bq kg(-1), respectively, and 11.53 Bq kg(-1) for the fission product (137)Cs. The highest values of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K concentrations (794.25 Bq kg(-1), 245.55 Bq kg(-1), 2718.71 Bq kg(-1), respectively) were observed in abnormal samples at Hayriye village. The average outdoor gamma dose rate in air at 1 m above the ground was determined as 114.43 nGy h(-1). Using the data obtained in this study, the average annual effective dose for a person living in Kayseri was found to be about 140.34 µSv.

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In this study, the indoor radon ( 222Rn) levels in summer and winter seasons were measured by using a total of 537 CR-39 detectors. The arithmetic mean values (ranges) of radon activity concentrations (RACs) in summer and winter seasons were found to be 71 Bq m −3 (27–313 Bq m−3) and 241 (89–1047 Bq m−3), respectively. In 20 houses, the RAC was higher than 400-Bq m−3 critical value declared by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK). The mean radon concentrations in summer and winter seasons were below the critical value declared by TAEK. According to normality test, the radon distributions in summer and winter seasons were determined as log-normal. The annual mean effective dose equivalent and the mean excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated as 8 mSv y−1 and 26 × 10−3.

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of background radiation in nine districts of Kırıkkale, Turkey. The outdoor gamma dose rate in the air was measured using a portable digital environmental radiation detector at 170 locations. The mean outdoor gamma dose rate in the air was determined as 121 nGy h

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