Assessment of radiological impacts of natural radionuclides and radon exhalation rate measured in the soil samples of Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, India

In order to assess the radiological baseline, the terrestrial radionuclide contents (Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40) and radon exhalation rate were measured in the soil samples collected from the vicinity of Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, India. Based on the measured activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40, different radiological parameters have been estimated to assess the radiation hazards arising out of the use of these soil samples as a building material in the studied region. The annual effective doses for distinct organs and tissues have also been calculated in order to assess total radiological risk. The overall radiological dose was less than the recommended values of 1 mSv y(-1). No significant correlation was observed between Ra-226, Th-232 concentration and its exhalation rate in the studied soil samples.