Radiation risk due to the presence of Cs-137 in fertilizers

In this work radiation doses arising from using fertilizers containing Cs-137 with activity concentration equal to the exempted level set by IAEA (BSS-115) were studied. It was assumed that the amount of fertilizers are added yearly, for 50 sequence years and continues adding for unlimited years, to soil is about 16 kg/1000m sup 2 and this amount is mixed with the top 15 cm of the soil. Al-Gab area was considered for this study (area 900km sup 2 and about 600000 inhabitant). RESRAD a computer code, which was developed by the American Agency for Environmental Protection (EPA) to calculate individual radiation dose from contaminated sites, was used. The concerned population was divided into subgroups for better assessment for individual dose. The results showed that the maximum yearly dose could be received by individual who lives and eats from the products of his land does not exceed 11 mu Sv/y after 50 years of consecutive additions and 16 mu Sv/y after 250 years, and more than 90% of this dose is due to external gamma exposure. The total Risk estimated for this additions will reach a limit of 1x10 sup - sup 6 after 250 years

Coordinated indoor radon surveys in some Arab countries

Indoor radon surveys were carried out in some of the Arab countries through a Coordination Research Program (CRP) organized by the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA). The objectives of the program aim at establishing a database on indoor radon concentration levels in the region and investigating any anomalies, where they exist. The approach adopted by the survey teams to achieve public participation in accepting the radon detectors in dwellings is presented and discussed. Most of the participants in the CRP used the passive method (CR-39 plastic detectors) for long-term radon measurements, while others used charcoal detectors and E-Perm systems for short-term measurements. The results of the surveys showed that radon concentration levels in most of the dwellings were low, whilst in some old cities and in an area close to a phosphate mine the levels were found to be relatively high