Evaluation of the natural and man-made radioactivity levels around the Egyptian nuclear facilities

The monitoring and evaluation of the radioactivity levels around the Egyptian nuclear facilities located at Inshas, near Cairo, namely, two research reactors, an R and D fuel fabrication laboratory and a fuel fabrication pilot plant, were carried out. Soil, water and plant samples were collected from locations near and around the facilities and analyzed by using gamma, laser and alpha spectrometry. A preoperational radiological map for the new reactor site was established. The results of the postoperational monitoring around the first reactor show that the 38 year operation of this reactor did not increase the radioactivity level around the facility. The observed man-made 137Cs was found to be (0.3-9.2 Bq/kg) and 239+240Pu 0.096-0.158 Bq/kg. The observed tritium was found to be in the range 0.6-1.48 Bq/L. The absorbed dose rate and radium equivalent are calculated and presented. (orig.)