Natural radioactivity and associated health hazards from coal waste of Dukki coal mines using gamma spectroscopy

Natural radioactivity present in coal mines has not only health hazards to miners but also to the population near to the coal mines. The coal mines of Dukki, Balochistan, are very close to the general population and have maximum coal seams in Balochistan. Therefore, coal waste of Dukki coal waste was investigated for radioactivity and associated health hazards from coal waste using HPGe and NaI detectors. The results obtained for 232Th and 226Ra through both detectors were found less than acceptable values, while in case 40K, the results obtained through both the detectors were found higher than permissible values. Positive correlations (R2 = 0.8428 for 226Ra), (R2 = 0.9866 for 232Th), and (R2 = 0.9857 for 40K) were obtained between the results obtained through both the detectors. Frequency distribution and box plots show normal distribution of radionuclides under investigations. The values obtained for all hazard indices through HPGe and NaI detectors were found less than world acceptable values. Therefore, it is concluded that the coal waste of Dukki coal mines may not pose any significant health hazards related to radioactivity.