New findings: a very high natural radiation area in Afra hot springs, Jordan

Abstract

A high natural radiation zone was investigated for the first time in Afra hot springs of Jordan. The radiation levels were measured using a portable Geiger-Muller counter and an Na(Tl) detector. The measured absorbed dose rates in air ranged from 10 to 1800 nGy h(-1), suggesting that the concentration of natural radioactive materials is very high compared with their normal abundance in crustal rocks. A single high-radiation zone was also found in a nearby area where a gamma radiation dose rate of 4.0 mGy h(-1) was measured. On the basis of this measurement, the area was marked as a high-radiation zone. This region is far from tourist areas and not easily reached. No intervention measures are needed to protect people because the spa area is not well inhabited, having only daily visitors (average frequency of 10 days per year per individual). The dose received by workers in the spa area should be considered and the worker should be monitored by personal radiation dosimeters, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters.

Radiation doses due to natural radioactivity in Al Hammah hot springs, Jordan

“…In this paper, the rate of external gamma radiation level in different zones in Al hammah Spa is measured by using of a portable radiation monitor (RADIAGEM 2000) to measure gamma dose with a Geiger-Muller counter and using another gamma probe with an NaI(T1) external detector connected to RADIAGEM 2000, to measure the dose rate. The later technique is used for medium sensitivity with a doserate range from 10 nGy h -1 t o 200 Gy h -1 (Ajlouni et al, 2009(Ajlouni et al, , 2010. Continuous measurements done, using the two detectors in the whole area with water pools and rocks.…”

“…The external terrestrial gamma radiation absorbed dose was due to concentration of radionuclides of the 238 U and 232 Th series. For comparison with other worldwide registered high radiation areas, Table 2 represents the highest registered gamma absorbed dose rates in the world (Ajlouni et al, 2009(Ajlouni et al, , 2010 including the results registered in this study.…”

“…The hot springs, which used by the inhabitants and visitors as spas, are the main sources of natural radiation for the distribution of radionuclides such as 238 U and 232 Th and their decay products in rock and soil. Many high radiation areas have been identified in several area of the world for example Rasmer in Iran, Yangjiang in China, kerala in coast of India, the Nile Delta in Egypt, and Afra spa in Jordan (Ajlouni et al,2009;2010). This study introduces radiation doses in Al hammah hot spring and furthers supplement studies to measure the radiation dose rates in Jordan.…”

“…This study introduces radiation doses in Al hammah hot spring and furthers supplement studies to measure the radiation dose rates in Jordan. It introduces additional information about radioactivity doses in tourism places in Jordan (Ajlouni et al, 2009;2010). This study goes, also, with the other studies which were done at different areas in Jordan (Ahmad et al, 1997;Al-Jundi, 2002;Al-Jundi et al, 2003;Al Hamarneh et al, 2003;Ajlouni et al, 2009;2010, AL-amairyeen 2010Al-Okour, et al, 2011.…”

Estimation of Natural Radioactivity in Water and Soil in some Villages of Irbid City

“…Surface water contribute in the transfer of radon to the air, turning the concentration of gas in the air, which is exposure to this gas through the processes of drinking water or breathing the gas where it enters the bodies of organisms. Jordan relies significantly on groundwater as a source of a major supply of water and this water contains large amounts of dissolved radon gas, which depending on the depth at which there is a groundwater and the nature of the rocks contain (Al-Jundi et al, 2002;Ajlouni, Abdelsalam, Abu-Haija & Joudeh, 2009;Ajlouni, Abdelsalam, Abu-Haija & Almasa'efah, 2010;AL-Amairyeen et al, 2010). Exposed organism when drinking from groundwater to the massive doses of radiation more than drinking water obtained from the water networks in major cities.…”