Natural Background Gamma Radiation Levels in the Environs of Proposed Petro-chemical Industry Near Jadcherla, Telangana State, India

Abstract

A survey of environmental gamma radiation levels is attempted in the geographical site under construction to establish a petrochemical industry. The knowledge of natural background radiation is one of the significant steps in establishing the chemical industry. Some chemical operations such as chemical refinement may sometimes influence the natural radiation levels. The attempt of measurement of natural background gamma levels in the present paper is to establish the baseline data, which on further measurements will be useful to analyse the changes in natural background radiation levels at the time of operation of a chemical plant. The present investigation shows the activity levels of gamma radiation in the site under construction at 65 locations. The gamma levels are found to vary from 1459 μGyy-1 to 2765 μGyy-1 with the average of 2141±304 μGyy-1. It is to be noted from the study that the average gamma radiation levels at two sample locations, cement mixing point (2307 μGyy-1) and stone crushing point (2529 μGyy-1) have been elevated. The elevated radiation levels at the two sample locations can be attributed to the radioactive dust emitted in the process of crushing stones and cement mixing.