b Atomic Energy Research Institute - HPD, Budapest, Hungary
c Universidad Central, Fac. de Ing., Depto. de Geologia, Caracas, Venezuela
Abstract:
Environmental gamma exposure and radon concentration levels measured in Venezuelan regions are presented. A new generation image analyser was used for particle track counting in CR-39 detectors. Mineral water wells from where water is supplied for massive consumption have an alpha activity around 0.450 Bq L−1 and few of them have concentrations above 50 Bq L−1. Coastal potable water activity is on the average around 5.3 ± 12% Bq L−1. Indoor radon national average is 36 ± 5% Bq m−3; in two of the 36 monitored sites, the measured average is above 400 ± 5% Bq m−3. In air gamma dose values are between 100 and 144 nGy h−1. In soil, 137Cs concentration is around 0.5 and 10 Bq kg−1 at the depth of down to 20 cm. Building materials were included in this study. 7Be and 137Cs were measured in low concentration in tropical plants on Tepuy-s (sacred mountains in the Amazonas State). Geological active faults were identified by radon concentration measurements using LR-115.