Survey of gamma dose and radon exhalation rate from soil surface of high background natural radiation areas in Ramsar, Iran

ABSTRACT

Radon is a radioactive gas and the second leading cause of death due to lung cancer after smoking. Ramsar is known for having the highest levels of natural background radiation on earth. In this research study, 50 stations of high radioactivity areas of Ramsar were selected in warm season of the year. Then gamma dose and radon exhalation rate were measured. Results showed that gamma dose and radon exhalation rate were in the range of 51-7100 nSv/hr and 9-15370 mBq/m2s, respectively. Compare to the worldwide average 16 mBq/m[2]s, estimated average annual effective of Radon exhalation rate in the study area is too high