Assessment of the risk associated with the gamma-emitting radionuclides from the soil of two cities in Central Karakorum

The Northern Areas of Pakistan is known for its relatively higher radioactivity level. No study has been conducted for Nagar, which is located at 2,590 m above sea level (ASL) and Shigar at 2,300 m ASL. Soil samples were collected from the two cities and gamma-emitting radionuclides were assayed using gamma-ray spectrometry. The average activity concentrations, average air absorbed dose rate, average annual effective dose and three hazard indices namely the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index and internal hazard index were calculated. The risk to human was estimated using the excess life-time cancer risk for people living in the two cities. (author)