Measurement of Natural Radioactivity and Assessment of Associated Radiation Hazards in Soil Samples

Introduction e knowledge of radionuclide distribution and radiation levels in the environment is important for assessing the effects of radiation exposure due to both terrestrial and cosmogenic sources. Terrestrial radiation is due to radioactive nuclides present in varying amounts in soils, building materials, water, rocks and atmosphere. Some of the radionuclides from these sources are transferred to man through food chain or inhalations, while the cosmogenic radiation originates from outer space as primary cosmic rays. Everyone on the planet is exposed to some background level of ionizing radiation. External exposures occur as a result of irradiation, and internal exposures occur because of inhalation and ingestion[Joga Singh et al.,2009].