Studies on radio elements in river basins of Western Ghats, Southeast Tamilnadu

The southwest coastal stretch of India is well known for beach placer minerals and associated high Natural Background Radiation (NBR). A detailed study was carried out in Southern Tamilnadu, using a high precision Radiation Survey Meter, to assess its spatial distribution and to delineate the anomalous radiation zones. The ambient gamma radiation levels were measured along the coastal belt from Tengapattanam to Tuticorin.

Significant radiation levels were observed in the west coast around Inayam-Midalam-Kurumpanai-Manavalakurichi-Kadiapattanam-Kovakulam beach sectors to the west of Kanyakumari District and connected hinterlands with radiation levels as high as 6000uR/h around Puttetti syenite body followed by Kizhmidalam and Inayam havig NBR values of 2500 uR/h. Another salient achievement was to estimate the distribution of heavy minerals like ilmenite, sillimanite, garnet, rutile, zircon, monazite and hornblende from all the drainage basins.

Natural radioactivity risk assessment in the living environment of the people of southwest coast of India

The objectives of the study were:
To measure natural radioactivity exposure rate in indoors and in construction     materials of dwellings in high natural background radiation locations in south     western part of India.
To obtain proper radiation risk estimates in the living environment.
To study the impact on environment and socio-economic aspects and     related health problems.
To suggest appropriate methodologies to be followed for construction of     houses including building materials for safe living.
To make awareness and confidence among the public about the     radioactivity of the environment.