Determination of 238U contents in ore samples using CR-39-based radon dosimeter—disequilibrium case

Natural radioactivity measurements in Pakistan—an overview

“…Akram et al (2006b) measured activity concentrations in samples that were collected from the bottom sediments of the Karachi Harbour/Manora Channel area. They reported 226 Ra, 228 Ra and 40 K activity concentrations in sea sediment samples from their studied area that varied from 19 ±4 to 29± 4 Bq kg −1 for 226 Ra, 12± 1 to 28± 4 Bq kg −1 for 228 Ra and 332 ± 9 to 729 ± 37 Bq kg −1 for 40 K. They also reported activity concentrations for sediments from the Layari River which varied from 15 ± 3 to 30 ± 3 Bq kg −1 , 9 ± 1 to 32 ± 1 Bq kg −1 and 197 ± 12 to 644 ± 26 Bq kg −1 , respectively, for 226 Ra, 228 Ra and 40 K. Rehman et al (2006) calculated 238 U concentrations that ranged from 13 to 37 ppm (164-465 Bq kg −1 ) in ore samples. Radioactivity concentrations measured by Akhtar and Tufail (2007) in soil samples from agricultural farms were from 550-644, 20-35 and 42-58 Bq kg −1 for 40 K, 226 Ra and 232 Th, respectively.…”

A review of radon measurement studies in Pakistan

“…The results of these studies are summarised in tables 1-3: the results of occupational radon measurements/indoor radon measurements are represented in tables 1 and 2, and table 3 shows the results of the radon exhalation rate studies carried out in Pakistan by different groups. Rehman et al (2006a) have calculated 226 Ra activities from the measured radon concentration values, which ranged from 157 to 454 Bq kg −1 . Assuming secular equilibrium, they have calculated the 238 U contents in the ore samples.…”

“…Khan et al (1979) were the first in Pakistan to use radon for the measurement of radioactivity in the region of Kirana hills, Punjab, and to search for uranium ore deposits in the region. Rehman et al (2006a) used the radon exhalation rate to measure the radium and uranium contents in different ore samples collected from various locations of Pakistan. Khan et al (1980), Khan (1993) and Qureshi et al (1993) have reported that the alpha sensitive plastic film (ASPF) technique can also be used for earthquake prediction and for the location of re-mobilised uranium ore bodies in sand stones.…”

External dose assessment from the measured radioactivity in soil samples collected from the Islamabad capital territory, Pakistan

“…These radionuclides are not uniformly distributed in the Earth's crust. Natural building materials reflect the geological variations of their sites of origin, so their radiometric characterisation provides a useful method of acquiring an even better knowledge of the local environment [8][9][10][11][12]. Therefore, knowledge of the distribution of radionuclides in soil and rocks plays an important role in controlling health risks to the general public.…”