Natural radiation exposure survey in Cameroon, Africa

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26305021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 海外学術
• Research Field: Hygiene and public health
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Tokonami Shinji 弘前大学, 被ばく医療総合研究所, 教授 (80247254)
• Research Collaborator: Furukawa Masahide ; Ishikawa Tetsuo ; Akata Naofumi ; Akiba Suminori ; Saidou
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線被ばく / 線量評価

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Since there are so many mineral resources in Africa, special attention is being paid by the world. Uranium mines there produce uranium ores as the nuclear fuel material. Those miners are exposed to radiation risks, so that sufficient management has to be done for them. In addition, it will be possible for residents around such mines to be exposed to enhanced natural radiation. In this study, therefore, a natural radiation exposure survey was carried out for them living around the mines in Cameroon, whose data have not yet been published.
External and internal exposure were investigated. For the external exposure, a car-borne survey was carried out in two areas., i.e., Poli and Lolodorf. Their region distribution could be obtained. On the other hand, the inhalation radiation dose was two times as high as the worldwide average whereas the ingestion dose ranged from two to seven times, compared to the worldwide value.

Free Research Field

保健物理学