Radiological parameters of a house with high levels of natural radiation, Ramsar, Iran

摘要

Ramsar, a northern coastal city of Iran, has been the subject of radiological studies for many years. In 1959, the elevated Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) was detected in travertine and calcareous tufa of the hot springs deposits in the region. The hot springs, which are used by the inhabitants and visitors as spas, are the main source for the distribution of natural radionuclides (especially ~(226)Ra and its decay products), in turn leading to the creation of High Levels of Natural Radiation Areas (HLNRAs) in the region (Fig. 1). Based on the recent criteria, the areas with elevated NORM in Ramsar have been classified as a HLNRA. In this city, Talesh Mahalleh has the highest radiation levels. The house under study is located in Talesh Mahalleh, 2 km south-east of Ramsar hotel, undergone major repair several times. It is among the few houses in the area that travertines contained high concentration levels of ~(226)Ra, and its decay products were used as building materials inside the walls.