NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN THE SYRIAN ENVIRONMENT

This study shows some results of the environmental monitoring program for assessment of radiation and background radioactivity in Syria. The average external gamma radiation exposure was found to be similar to 94 +/- 8 nGy h(-1), changing slightly from one district to another. Me asurements of natural radioactivity in different types of soil showed a correlation between the ambient gamma exposure levels and soil radio activity. The average activity of K-40, Th-232 and Ra-226 in the soil were 247 +/- 100, 18.43 +/- 5 and 22.2 +/- 9 Bq kg(-1) dry mass, respe ctively. Natural radioactivity in crops from different parts of the co untry was in accordance with levels of radioactivity in soil. The high est values for soil and crops were found in the south and the north ea st of the country.