The influence of urbanization on natural radiation levels in anomalous areas

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 65 - 75
• Main Authors: de Affonseca, M.S, Alves, R.N, Junior, J.T, de Almeida, C.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anomalous areas; Applied sciences; Background Radiation; Brazil; Construction Materials; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Effects of urbanization; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Exposure; Exact sciences and technology; Gamma Rays; Global environmental pollution; Guarapari; Humans; Monazite sand; Natural radiation; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Radiation Monitoring - methods; Urbanization; South America; Brazil; America; Effects of urbanization; Monazite sand; Natural radiation; Guarapari; Anomalous areas; Natural origin pollution; Radioactive pollution; Buildings; Medium effect; Construction materials; Gamma radioactivity; Urban area; Radioactivity measurement
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0265-931X(02)00016-4

This paper verifies the effects of urbanization on the original levels of environmental gamma radiation in an anomalous area. The fieldwork was done in the city of Guarapari, on the seacoast of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. This place was chosen because the whole region is naturally rich in monazite sand, which contains thorium and uranium. A similar study was also carried out in the 1960s. The measurements were done using an inorganic NaI scintillometer detector with Cu+Pb filters coupled to a scaler. The methodology of measurements used was similar to the one applied in the fieldwork carried out in the 1960s. In addition, a simulation was performed in the laboratory, to determine the attenuation of the materials used in the urbanization of the region. The results of this work clearly show that there was a reduction in the levels of external radiation in the streets and squares of Guarapari. It was concluded that the reduction was due to attenuation by the materials used in the urbanization.