Speaker
Mr
Mashinga Johannes Mvelase
(SACNASP)
Description
The radiological hazards were evaluated in the agricultural fields of Weenen, province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In this study, gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the activity concentrations of these radionuclides in four representative soil samples from the fields and two representative soil samples from the control area. The average activity concentrations in Bq.kg-1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K from the fields were found to be 99±13, 89±7 and 552.5±21 Bq.kg-1, respectively. On the other hand, the average activity concentrations in Bq.kg-1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K from the control area were found to be 89.10±10 Bq.kg-1, 79.15±5.60 Bq/kg and 427.33±30.51 Bq/kg, respectively. Radiological hazard indices calculated from these activity concentrations were lower than recommended safe limits. In particular, calculated average values for the radium equivalent (Raeq), external hazard (Hex), absorbed dose (D) and Annual effective dose equivalent (Deff) from the fields were found to be 269 Bq.kg-1, 0.73, 123±6 nGy/h and 0.150 mSv/y. All these values were lower than unity, posing a lower health risk to the farm workers in the area.
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
No
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, N/A)?
No
Primary author
Mr
Mashinga Johannes Mvelase
(SACNASP)
Peer reviewing
Paper
Paper files:
