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A systematic study of the gamma radiation levels (indoor and outdoor) in the villages surrounding the uranium-enriched regions around Jaduguda, India has been undertaken by monitoring selected dwellings in six villages. Each dwelling unit was monitored for a total duration of 1 y. The gamma radiation measurements were carried out using card-based CaSO(4): Dy thermoluminescent dosemeters. The estimated average annual gamma dose values for indoor and outdoor were 980 and 924 (µGy y(-1)), respectively, for the entire region studied. The maximum indoor and outdoor gamma doses experienced in North Dungridih and South Dungridih villages were 1305 and 1223 (µGy y(-1)), respectively. The minimum indoor and outdoor gamma dose values observed in Chatikocha village were 624 and 696 (µGy y(-1)), respectively. Seasonal variation of the indoor gamma values was not observed during the year; however, a small variation was seen with the type of building materials used for construction purposes. A statistical analysis was attempted to characterise the distribution of terrestrial gamma radiation obtained in the study area. The average quarterly indoor gamma values for spring, summer, monsoon and winter seasons as prevalent in the regions were 267±71, 262±54, 213±91, 238±66 (µGy 90 d(-1)), respectively. The annual effective doses to the local population residing in the selected dwelling units were estimated to be 0.6 and 0.1 (mSv y(-1)) for indoor and outdoor, respectively, using an occupancy factor of 0.8 and 0.2.

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