37 years after the chernobyl: the current radiation status in Kocaeli, Turkey

Abstract This study aims to assess the artificial and natural radiation dose levels in certain districts of Kocaeli province within the Marmara region, 37 years after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and evaluate the current status prior to potential nuclear leakage events from Zaporijya or other nuclear power plants. Radioactive concentrations of 232 Th, 238 U, 40 K and 137 Cs were determined using HPGe gamma spectrometry in 26 soil samples collected from the region of interest. The average concentrations were found to be 22.35 Bqkg −1 for 238 U, 26.36 Bqkg −1 for 232 Th, 368.34 Bqkg −1 for 40 K, and 2.44 Bqkg −1 for 137 Cs. Furthermore, the study revealed an absorbed dose rate of 41.73 nGyh −1 , an annual effective dose equivalent of 51.18 µSvy −1 , and an excess lifetime cancer risk of 0.00018.