Browsing by Author "Rashid, Md. Bazlar"

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A pioneering study of the radiological mapping in the world's largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) and implications for the public and environment
(Scopus, 2024-04-30) Mahmud, Jubair Al; Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Alam, M.S.; Dewan, Md. Jafor; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Osman, Hamid; Tamam, Nissren
Coastal Mangroves are facing growing threats due to the harmful consequences of human activities. This first-ever detailed study of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from seven tourist destinations within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, was conducted using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Although the activity levels of 226Ra (11 ± 1–44 ± 4 Bq/kg) and 232Th (13 ± 1 68 ± 6 Bq/kg) generally align with global averages, the concentration of 40K (250 ± 20–630 ± 55 Bq/kg) was observed to surpass the worldwide average primarily due to factors like salinity intrusion, fertilizer application, agricultural runoff, which suggests the potential existence of potassium-rich mineral resources near the study sites. The assessment of the hazard parameters indicates that the majority of these parameters are within the recommended limits. The soil samples do not pose a significant radiological risk to the nearby population. The results of this study can establish important radiological baseline data before the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins operating in Bangladesh.
Assessing Radioactivity in Soil in the Vicinity of Steel Production Industries
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-12-12) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Alam, M. S.; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Z.; Elrahim, Elrashed Abd; Osman, Hamid; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Yeasmin, S.
The steel production process results in the emission of naturally occurring radioactive and toxic heavy metals, which are inherent in the raw materials employed as the initial components. To assess the public exposure through atmospheric dispersions of such radiotoxic metals originating from the production plants and the disposal of associated wastes in nearby landfills, a pioneering study was conducted to assess the radioactivity in forty-four soil samples collected from the environs of sixteen different steel mills in the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh, using high-purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometry. The results indicated activity ranges of 6 ± 1 to 37 ± 3 Bq/kg, 6 ± 1 to 45 ± 4 Bq/kg, and 101 ± 9 to 470 ± 45 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, in the soil samples. Radiological hazard parameters were assessed, and none surpassed the recommended limits set by various international organisations. These results underscore that soil samples obtained from the vicinity of the steel mills do not present an immediate and significant risk to the local community in terms of radiation hazards. Nevertheless, given the observed physical alterations in the soil samples, likely resulting from chemical reactions with pollutants released from the steel mills, it is advisable to refrain from using the examined soil samples for agricultural or construction purposes. This study aims to establish a foundational dataset, serving as a crucial reference for the upcoming commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in the fiscal year 2024–25. This study advocates for the adoption of a systematic and regular monitoring programme to assess radiation levels in the vicinity of steel production industries across the country.
Baseline Radioactivity in the Five Candidate Sites for the Second Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh and Concomitant Hazards Assessment
(Springer, 2023-05-01) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Alam, M.S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Z.; Joydhar, A.; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Razzaque, M. Abdur; Rahman, A.F.M. Mizanur; Yeasmin, S.
To meet the increasing energy demands and foresee the shortage of fossil fuels as a source of energy, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has decided to install a second Nuclear Power Plant in the southern region of Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the baseline radioactivity using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector of the five candidate sites to construct a nuclear power plant in the southern regions of Bangladesh and to evaluate the associated radiological hazard parameters. This pioneering study demonstrates that the mean activity concentrations (range) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in forty-five soil samples collected from the five candidate sites were 28.95 ± 2.72 (2.65–48.75), 30.10 ± 2.95 (10.35–46.65), and 278.82 ± 25.78 (126.05–418.61) Bqkg−1. The evaluated area poses insignificant radiological concerns regarding mean absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices, and excess lifetime cancer risk values. This study revealed a thorough picture of radioactive dispersion in soil samples from Bangladesh’s southern areas, allowing policymakers to take appropriate measures in identifying viable candidate sites for constructing a Nuclear Power Plant. Moreover, the data of this study can be used as a reliable source of baseline radioactivity in the particular area.
Evaluating the radioactivity and health risks in oil and gas production areas: insights from Titas Gas Field, Bangladesh
(2024-09-19) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Haque, Tasnia; Choudhury, Tasrina Rabia; Alam, Mohammad Shafiqul; Mahmud, Araf; Rashid, Md. Bazlar
Conducting comprehensive studies of radioactivity and associated risk assessments in the oil and gas industry is crucial due to the potential accumulation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in production operations. This pioneering study investigates radioactivity levels in surface soil from the Titas Gas Field area in Bangladesh by a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, a crucial resource of the nation’s energy infrastructure. In surface soil, the activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 18–41 Bq/kg, 28–62 Bq/kg, and 280–600 Bq/kg, respectively. Particularly, the levels of 232Th exceeded the global average value for soil. These elevated 232Th levels are likely attributed to a combination of natural geological processes of enriching thorium bearing minerals, geochemical processes favouring thorium retention and human activities selectively impacting these radionuclides. The estimated of radiological risk reveals that some indices exceed recommended limits, hence pose a concern for public health. The study recommends periodic monitoring, public awareness campaigns, remediation efforts, and long-term management strategies to protect environmental and public health. The findings of this research underscore the critical need to recognise and address radiological hazards associated with gas extraction activities to safeguard the health and safety of workers and nearby communities in Bangladesh.
Evaluation of Transfer Factors of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K Radionuclides from Soil to Grass and Mango in the Northern Region of Bangladesh
(Springer, 2023-04-17) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Das, S. K.; Mondol, M. S.; Alam, M. S.; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Yeasmin, S.
Bangladesh is a rapidly developing country, which is vulnerable to various types of pollution due to the large-scale industrial and associated human activities that might potentially affect the locally harvested foodstuffs. Therefore, the transfer factor is an essential tool to assess the safety of foodstuffs due to the presence of natural radioactivity in environmental matrix and/or strata. This is a first study of its kind conducted in a well-known region for mango farming in Bangladesh, measuring the uptake of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) by grass and mango from soil to assess the ingestion doses to humans. The HPGe gamma-ray detector was used to determine the concentrations of NORMs in samples of soil (20), grass (10), and mango (10), which were then used to calculate the transfer factors of soil to grass and soil to mango. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in associated soil samples (47.27 ± 4.10, 64.49 ± 4.32, 421.60 ± 28.85) of mango and 226Ra and 232Th in associated soil samples (45.07 ± 3.93, 52.17 ± 3.95) of grass were found to exceed the world average values. The average transfer factors (TFs) for mango were obtained in the order of 40K(0.80) > 226Ra (0.61) > 232Th (0.31), and for grass, it shows the order of 40K (0.78) > 232Th (0.64) > 226Ra (0.56). However, a few values (3 mango samples and 3 grass samples) of the estimated TFs exceeded the recommended limits. Moreover, Bangladesh lacks the transfer factors for most of the food crops; therefore, calculation of TFs in the major agricultural products is required all over Bangladesh, especially the foodstuffs produced near the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023.
Measurement of Radioactivity in Soils of Karamjal and Harbaria Mangrove Forest of Sundarbans for Establishment of Radiological Database
(PLOS ONE Publications, 2023-10-19) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; M., Jubair A.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Z.; Khandake, Mayeen Uddin; Bradley, D. A.; Yeasmin, S.
This work presents the first in-depth study of soil radioactivity in the mangrove forest of Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans. It used HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the amount of natural radioactivity in soil samples from Karamjal and Harbaria sites of the world’s largest mangrove forest. The activity concentrations of most of the 226Ra (14±2 Bqkg-1 to 35±4 Bqkg-1) and 232Th (30±5 Bqkg-1 to 50±9 Bqkg-1) lie within the world average values, but the 40K concentration (370± 44 Bqkg-1 to 660±72 Bqkg-1) was found to have exceeded the world average value. The evaluation of radiological hazard parameters revealed that the outdoor absorbed dose rate (maximum 73.25 nGyh-1) and outdoor annual effective dose (maximum 0.09 mSvy-1) for most samples exceeded the corresponding world average values. The elevated concentration of 40K is mainly due to the salinity intrusion, usage of fertilizers and agricultural runoff, and migration of waste effluents along the riverbanks. Being the pioneering comprehensive research on the Bangladesh side of the Sundarbans, this study forms a baseline radioactivity for the Sundarbans before the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.
Pioneering study of radioactivity in soil near the Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant, the largest coal-fired thermal power plant in Bangladesh
(2024-09-18) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Reza, Ashik; Khan, Mohammad; Shafiqul Alam, Mohammad; Al Mahmud, Jubair; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Begum, Mahbuba; Sultana, Nazneen; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Osman, Hamid; Yeasmin, S.
Coal combustion increases atmospheric radioactivity, harming those live in the periphery of coal-fired thermal power plants (CFTPPs). A pioneering study has been performed using a high-purity germanium detector by analysing 30 soil samples collected from distances of 50, 600, 1200, and 3000 metres in the periphery of the largest 1320 MW CFTPP, Payra, Bangladesh. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 19–32, 31–90, and 420–870 Bq/kg, respectively, with most of the samples show 232Th and 40K levels above global averages. Elevated levels of 232Th and 40K in soil around Payra thermal power plant stem from natural minerals, granitic rocks, ash disposal, coal combustion residues, and environmental factors. Radiological hazard indices, including dose rates and cancer risk, exceed global averages, indicating unsafe radiation exposure for coal miners and locals. These findings are crucial for planning coal-fired power plants and stress the need for municipal regulation of fly ash and health monitoring to mitigate risks for workers and residents.
Pioneering Study of Radioactivity in Soil near the Payra 1320 Mw Thermal Power Plant, the Largest Coal-fired Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh
(Taylor & Francis Publication, 2024-09-28) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Reza, Ashik; Khan, Mohammad; Alam, Mohammad Shafiqul; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Begum, Mahbuba; Sultana, Nazneen; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Osman, Hamid; Yeasmin, S.
Coal combustion increases atmospheric radioactivity, harming those live in the periphery of coal-fired thermal power plants (CFTPPs). A pioneering study has been performed using a high-purity germanium detector by analysing 30 soil samples collected from distances of 50, 600, 1200, and 3000 metres in the periphery of the largest 1320 MW CFTPP, Payra, Bangladesh. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 19–32, 31–90, and 420–870 Bq/kg, respectively, with most of the samples show 232Th and 40K levels above global averages. Elevated levels of 232Th and 40K in soil around Payra thermal power plant stem from natural minerals, granitic rocks, ash disposal, coal combustion residues, and environmental factors. Radiological hazard indices, including dose rates and cancer risk, exceed global averages, indicating unsafe radiation exposure for coal miners and locals. These findings are crucial for planning coal-fired power plants and stress the need for municipal regulation of fly ash and health monitoring to mitigate risks for workers and residents.
Radiation dose assessment: Establishment of local diagnostic reference levels for selected radiography examinations across three prominent hospitals in Sudan
(Scopus, 2023-03-16) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Dewan, Md. Jafor; Chowdhury, Md. I. A.; Mahmudb, Jubair Al; Alamb, M. S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar
This research assesses radioactivity in soil and coal samples around the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant using a high-purity germanium detector. The range of activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the studied soil samples were 14–75, 16–112, and 132–460 Bqkg−1, respectively and the respective activity in coal samples ranged from 14–30, 16–39 and 72–182 Bqkg−1. The majority of the hazard indices (absorbed dose rate, gamma index, effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk) were higher than the world average, which shows that long-term exposure to terrestrial ionising radiation is not safe for coal miners and the local community. The presence of minerals like monazite and zircon, granitic type parent rock, bottom ash discharged adjacent on lowlands, fly ash deposition, different geochemical and physicochemical properties, dominant wind directions, the artificial contamination, meteorological conditions, leaching caused by rainwater- may have a crucial influence on NORM distributions. The quantitative results of this study have important implications for planning a larger and more modern coal-fired power plant, and this study’s findings inspire municipal officials to restrict and monitor the release of fly ash nearby coal-fired power plants. In addition, it is essential to monitor the health of individuals (workers and locals) near the power plant.
Radioactivity in Soil and Coal Samples Collected From the Vicinity of the Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant and Evaluation of the Associated Hazard Parameters
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-03-29) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Dewan, Md. Jafor; Chowdhury, Md. I. A.; Al Mahmud, Jubair; Alam, M. S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar
This research assesses radioactivity in soil and coal samples around the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant using a high-purity germanium detector. The range of activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the studied soil samples were 14–75, 16–112, and 132–460 Bqkg−1, respectively and the respective activity in coal samples ranged from 14–30, 16–39 and 72–182 Bqkg−1. The majority of the hazard indices (absorbed dose rate, gamma index, effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk) were higher than the world average, which shows that long-term exposure to terrestrial ionising radiation is not safe for coal miners and the local community. The presence of minerals like monazite and zircon, granitic type parent rock, bottom ash discharged adjacent on lowlands, fly ash deposition, different geochemical and physicochemical properties, dominant wind directions, the artificial contamination, meteorological conditions, leaching caused by rainwater- may have a crucial influence on NORM distributions. The quantitative results of this study have important implications for planning a larger and more modern coal-fired power plant, and this study’s findings inspire municipal officials to restrict and monitor the release of fly ash nearby coal-fired power plants. In addition, it is essential to monitor the health of individuals (workers and locals) near the power plant.
Radionuclide Transfer in Tea Cultivation: Assessing Radiological Risks in the Largest and First Established Tea Garden in Bangladesh
(Taylor & Francis, 2024-05-03) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Kamal, Md. Hossain; Khan, Zulfiqar Hasan; Alam, Mohammad Shafiqul; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Rashid, Md. Bazlar
To address potential health risks associated with radioactivity in tea consumption, a study was conducted utilizing high purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometry to measure the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs radionuclides in soil and tea leaves collected from several major tea gardens (including the Malnicherra tea garden which is the largest and first established tea garden in the Indian subcontinent) situated in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Although nearly all soil samples showed the presence of 137Cs (with a maximum activity of 6.5 ± 1.31 Bq/kg), none of the analyzed tea leaf samples exhibited its presence, which can be attributed to its restricted transferability from soil to plants. The range of transfer factors for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K from soil to tea leaves was calculated to be (0.39–0.54), (0.25–0.46) and (1.39–3.03), respectively. The heightened concentrations of 40K identified in the tea leaf samples can be mainly ascribed to specific metabolic processes associated with potassium, along with the heightened utilization of potassium chloride-based fertilizers aimed at enhancing tea production. The examination of hazard parameters, including the estimated committed effective dose and the excess lifetime cancer risk associated with tea consumption, reveals values that are comparatively lower than the recommended limits. Consequently, the radiation exposure from tea consumption does not present a significant radiological health concern for the general population.
Risk Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactivity in Soil Adjacent to a Coal-Fired Brick Kiln
(Elsevier, 2023-08-15) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Al Mahmud, Jubair; Alam, M.S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Zakir; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Bradley, D.A.; Miah, M.M.H.; Alshahrani, B.; Yeasmin, S.
Being aware of the potential health effects brought on by exposure to radionuclides, besides chemical and air pollution, produced by coal-fired brick kilns, first-ever measurements of terrestrial radionuclides were performed in the topsoil sampled from the surrounding of a randomly chosen coal-fired brick kiln operating at the outskirts of megacity Dhaka, Bangladesh. By employing the HPGe gamma-ray spectroscopy, the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K was found to be in the range of (19.2 ± 2.7–54 ± 7.0) Bq/kg, (33 ± 5.3–68 ± 9.5) Bq/kg, and (360 ± 43–540 ± 65) Bq/kg respectively, where almost all the values of 40 K, 232Th; and some of the values of 226Ra exceeded the corresponding world average values. Possible causes of the elevated level of radionuclides include the deposition of bottom ash in lowlands, the accumulation of fly ash in soils, and the fallout of fine particles that absorb the minerals released from the coal burning process. 137Cs was also found in two samples that might indicate contamination of the feed coal. Most of the outdoor absorbed dose rates, some internal absorbed dose rates, annual effective dose, gamma level index and excess lifetime cancer risk surpass the worldwide average. According to these hazard parameters, there are health risks to the brick kiln workers and the populace who consumes food crops produced in the studied agricultural soils. The present quantitative measurements urge the municipal authorities to manage and monitor the discharge of fly ash from the brick kilns and take precautionary actions to reduce unwanted health hazards. It also demands to monitor of the human health of workers and residents near the brick kilns.
Vertical distributions of radionuclides along the tourist-attractive Marayon Tong Hill in the Bandarban district of Bangladesh
(Daffodil International University, 2023-02-10) Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Roy, Debasish; Dewan, Md. Jafor; Alam, M. S.; Jubair A. M.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Bradle, D. A.; Yeasmin, S.
This is the first attempt in the world to depict the vertical distribution of radionuclides in the soil samples along several heights (900 feet, 1550 feet, and 1650 feet) of Marayon Tong hill in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bandarban by HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were found to be 37.15 ± 3.76 Bqkg−1, 19.69 ± 2.15 Bqkg−1, and 347.82 ± 24.50 Bqkg−1, respectively, where in most cases, 232Th exceeded the world average value of 30 Bqkg−1. According to soil characterization, soils ranged from slightly acidic to moderately acidic, with low soluble salts. The radium equivalent activity, outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rate, external and internal hazard indices, external and internal effective dose rates, gamma level index, and excess lifetime cancer risk were evaluated and found to be below the recommended or world average values; but a measurable activity of 137Cs was found at soils collected from ground level and at an altitude of 1550 feet, which possibly arises from the nuclear fallout. The evaluation of cumulative radiation doses to the inhabitants via periodic measurement is recommended due to the elevated levels of 232Th.This pioneering work in mapping the vertical distribution of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) can be an essential factual baseline data for the scientific community that may be used to evaluate the variation in NORMs in the future, especially after the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh in 2024.