Assessment of environmental radioactivity and health hazard at Stara Planina region

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential risks of radiation near abandoned uranium mines, tailing dumps, or uranium deposits on Mountain Stara Planina, Serbia. For risk assessment several parameters were determined: radium equivalent activity, Raeq, external hazard index, Hex, gamma radiation absorbed dose rate, D, annual effective dose on background outdoor gamma exposure, AEDoutdoor, and excess lifetime cancer risk, ELCR. Obtained results showed that all the samples, except one, have the Raeq value up to two times higher than the reference limit. The Raeq of the sample from the Mezdreja mine tailings was increased by almost eight times. The value of Hex followed the same pattern as Raeq. All the investigated localities have increased D values, while all the samples have shown the moderately low AEDoutdoor, except Mezdreja mine tailings that have 5.5-2.8 times higher dose relative to the world's average. ELCR at the Mezdreja mine tailings is 4.58 times higher than the world's average of 1.45?10?3. In the context of human activity in the area of Stara Planina such as different kinds of tourism, livestock breeding, dairy products, and herbal manufacturing, etc. there is a need for detailed analysis in order to evaluate potential human exposure and health impacts.

Depopulated and Abandoned Areas in Serbia in the 21st Century—From a Local to a National Problem

“…In addition to the economic reasons, the fear of possible radiation was also an important factor that accelerated the abandonment of the village. Measurements made in the vicinity of the mine have shown increased levels of radioactivity, but their impact on human health has not yet been sufficiently investigated [67][68][69]. According to the 2011 Census, Gabrovnica had only three inhabitants, with an average age of 79.8 years [70].…”