Soil radioactivity and associated health hazards in the vicinity of coal mines and gas plants of Spin Karez, Quetta, Balochistan

Long-live radioactive elements occur as integral constituents of water and soil chemistry, contributing to sources of radiological exposure to living organisms. Mining processes increase this exposure by accelerating the release and transfer of these radioactive elements and minerals from rocks into the environment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate soil near to the coal mines and gas plant of Spin Karez, Quetta, Balochistan and association health issues using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activities of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were observed 16.39, 30. 77 and 391.98 Bq kg−1. Approximately 41%. 33.3% and 33.33% of soil samples have 226Ra, 40K and 232Th activities greater than suggested safety thresholds. However, the average activities of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th were found less than suggested safety thresholds. Only 8.3% of soil samples have outdoor (Dout) and indoor (Din) absorbed dose rates higher than suggested safety threshold. Average value of Radium equivalent activity 84.40 Bq kg−1was found less than suggested safety threshold. Similarly, all estimated health hazards parameters were below the prescribed safety thresholds, suggesting that soil of the investigated area in expected to constitute significant health concern to the local population.