Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity Levels and Their Health Implications: Systematic Review

References

[1] Adams, S. S., Ohaeri, B., & Owoade, M. O. (2025). Evaluation of natural radioactivity levels and radiological risks in selected soils in Nigeria. Environmental Systems Research, 14(1), 65–78.

[2] Margaret Bose Adedokun, Moses A. Aweda, Peane Maleka, Ayo Z Ibitoye and Rachel I. Obed (2020). Evaluation of natural radionuclides and associated radiation hazard indices in soil and water from selected vegetable farmlands in Lagos, Nigeria. Environmental Forensics 23(10):1-13. DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2020.1850557

[3] Dayo A. Ayeni and Festus M. Adebiyi (2022). Evaluation of Natural Radioactivity and Radiation Hazards of Soils around Petroleum Products Marketing Company using Gamma Ray Spectrometry. Tanzania Journal of Science 48(2), 304-312. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v48i2.7

[4] Ahmed AA, Ibrahim U, Adamu M. (2020). Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in soils of mining areas in Nigeria using HPGe gamma spectrometry. J Environ Radioact. 217:106239. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106239

[5] Ahmed T, Okoronkwo N, Eze C (2021). Assessment of radionuclides in borehole water and radiological implications in Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess. 193:548.

[6] kuo-ko E.O., Adelikhah M., Amponsem E., Csordás A., Kovács T (2024). Investigations of indoor radon levels and its mapping in the Greater Accra region, Ghana. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 333(6), 2975–2986. doi:10.1007/s10967-023-09165-z SpringerLink+1

[7] Alam N, Rahman M, Hossain M (2022). Natural radioactivity and radiological risks in groundwater from Wetland Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj District, Bangladesh. J Environ Radioact. 238:106869.

[8] Al-Dosari H, Al-Saadi M, Al-Mutairi F (2022). Natural radionuclides and radiological risks in desert soils of Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci. 15(1121). doi:10.1007/s12517-022-10121-3

[9] Aliyu A, Bala H, Mohammed I (2019). Radionuclide contamination in well waters in Nigeria: measurement and health risk assessment. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 187(4), 399–409.

[10] Latifat Owoade, Helen Alakiu, Kazeem Akinde and Chioma Uchenna Nwankwo (2019). Radionuclide Concentrations in Different Water Sources from Nigeria. Health Physics 117(5):1. DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001081

[11] Amable A.S.K., Otoo F., Buah-Bassuah P.K., Twum A.K. (2024). Assessment of indoor radon distribution and seasonal variation within the Kpando Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana. PLOS ONE. 19(2): e0299072. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0299072 PLOS+1

[12] Arogunjo AM, Hossain I, Olatunji MA (2009). Natural radionuclide concentrations in soils of southwestern Nigeria. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 135(3), 265–70.

[13] Oladele Ajayi, Sunday Ibikunle and T J Ojo (2008). An assessment of natural radioactivity of soils and its external radiological impact in southwestern Nigeria. Health Physics 94(6), 558-66. DOI: 10.1097/01.HP.0000309766.12663.1d

[14] Arogunjo, A. M., Ofuga, E. E., & Afolabi, M. A. (2009). Levels of natural radionuclides in some Nigerian cereals and their corresponding soil samples. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 132(3), 316–320.

[15] Badr, E. E., Ramadan, S., & El-Sharkawy, A. (2023). Global distribution of radionuclide concentrations in surface soils and associated excess lifetime cancer risks: A systematic review. Environmental Research, 232, 115–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115129

[16] Bem H., Dziuban M., Wysocka M. (2020). Survey of indoor radon (²²²Rn) entry and concentrations in various dwellings: A case study. Radiation Measurements. 131:106230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2019.106230

[17] Chen J., Ford K.L., Whyte J. (2021). A Summary of Residential Radon Surveys and the Influence of Geology on Indoor Radon. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18(24):13093. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413093

[18] Danjuma MN, Bansah KJ, Yeboah J (2020). Environmental radioactivity in gold mining areas of Ghana. Environ Earth Sci. 79(12),1–14. doi:10.1007/s12665-020-09014-5

[19] El Sabbagh M, El Afifi EM, El Haddad A (2015). Monitoring of Cs-137 and natural radionuclides in Mediterranean agricultural soils. Environ Monit Assess.187:763.

[20] El-Sweify, F. H., Ahmed, W., & Hassan, A. (2018). Gamma radiation hazards of construction materials. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 11(2), 177–187.

[21] EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2012). Radiation Protection Guidance and Standards for Environmental Exposure. EPA Radiation Program.

[22] Habu Tela Abba, Wan Muhammad Saridan Wan Hassan and Muneer Aziz saleh (2018). Evaluation of environmental natural radioactivity levels in soil and ground water of Barkin Ladi, Plateau state, Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v14n3.882

[23] Hassan YA, Musa H (2019). Determination of radionuclides in agricultural soils in Sudan using NaI(Tl) gamma spectroscopy. Radiat Phys Chem. 159, 37-44. doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.02.018

[24] IAEA (2002). Measurement of Radionuclides in Food and the Environment. International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Report Series No. 295. Vienna: IAEA.

[25] IAEA (2014). Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards. IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3. Vienna.

[26] IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). (2014). Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards. IAEA General Safety Requirements Part 3.

[27] Ibe, F. C., Eze, U. C., & Adeyemi, O. (2025). Environmental radiation protection challenges in low-income countries: A Nigerian case study. SN Applied Sciences, 7(2), 342–355.

[28] ICRP (2007). The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann ICRP. 37(2–4).

[29] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). National and Regional Surveys of Radon Concentration in Dwellings: Review of Methodology and Measurement Techniques. IAEA Technical Report Series.Vienna: IAEA. https://www.iaea.org

[30] International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). (2007). ICRP Publication 103: The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Annals of the ICRP, 37(2–4).

[31] Isca, R. E. (2021). Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and radiological hazards in the environment. International Science Community Association – International Research Journal of Environment Sciences, 10(4), 25–34.

[32] Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). (2020). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis.

[33] Kim, J. Y., Lee, W., & Park, S. (2024). Cancer risk among populations living near nuclear facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 256, 107152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107152

[34] Kolo MT, Baba-Kutigi AN (2021). Soil radioactivity and radiological hazard indices in northern Nigeria. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 19:1–12.

[35] Krishno Chandra, Ram Proshad , Hridoy Chandra Dey and Abubakr M Idris (2023). A review on radionuclide pollution in global soils with environmental and health hazards evaluation. Environ Geochem Health, 45(12), 9245-9266. doi: 10.1007/s10653-023-01725-2. ISCA+2PubMed+2

[36] Kumar P, Shah S, Iqbal M (2018). Determination of natural and artificial radionuclides in municipal tap water and associated dose estimation. Appl Radiat Isot. 139:50–58.

[37] Li X, Zhang H, Chen W (2021). Radioactivity levels and radiological risks in soils from an industrial zone in eastern China. Sci Total Environ.750:141652. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141652

[38] Mohammed, I., Yusuf, A., & Abdullahi, S. (2022). Natural radionuclides in groundwater and the associated radiological risks in Plateau State, Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences (MJFAS), 18(4), 543–551.

[39] Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097.

[40] Musa JJ, Alabi MA, Saidu A (2018). Natural radionuclides and radiological hazard assessment of oil-producing soils in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 22(7), 1041–8. doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i7.28

[41] Nnabuk Okon Eddy, Ifeanyi Samson Eze, Rajni Garg, Kovo Akpomie, Gloria Udoekpote, Chinwenwa Lily Timothy, Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana and Hazratullah Paktin (2025). Exploration of health effects, economic impacts, and regulatory challenges for ionizing radiation: a case study in Nigeria. Discover Applied Sciences, 7(575) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07069-z

[42] Obed R.I., Farai I.P., Jeminor A.I (2010). Indoor Radon Survey in a University Campus of Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.  101(10), 932–938.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.06.005

[43] Olaniyi JohnPaul Popoola, Omodele Emmanuel Olubi, Oladimeji Samuel Adewalure, Augustine Enoch Raphael (2025). Elevated natural radionuclides in soils and stream sediments: pollution, spatial distribution, radiological hazards, and cancer risks in peri‑urban Emure‑Ekiti, southwest Nigeria. Discover Soil, 2(70). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-025-00074-z

[44] Onoja, E. D., Onyekachi, G. A., Ejila, A. O., Okoh, P., & Jack, Z. K. (2024). Measurement of Radon Gas Concentration in Sources of Drinking Water in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria Using Radon Detector (RAD 7). UMYU Scientifica, 3(3), 322 – 332. https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2433.034

[45] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2001). Exposure to Radiation from the Natural Radioactivity in the Environment. Paris: OECD.

[46] Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R, Glanville J, Grimshaw JM, Hróbjartsson A, Lalu MM, Li T, Pan H, Richards DP, Tugwell P, Welch VA, Whiting PF, Moher (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 372:n160. doi:10.1136/bmj.n160.

[47] Portaro M., Bonforte A., Imposa S., et al (2024). Indoor radon surveying and mitigation in a case study area impacted by active tectonics. Atmosphere (MDPI). 15(3):302. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15030302

[48] Ro-Ting Lin, Hathaichon Boonhat, Yu-Yu Lin, Sonja Klebe and Ken Takahashi (2024). Health Effects of Occupational and Environmental Exposures to Nuclear Power Plants: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Curr Environ Health Rep, 11(3), 329-339. doi: 10.1007/s40572-024-00453-8. PubMed

[49] Sato T, Ohara T, Takahashi Y (2015). Distribution of radiocesium (Cs-134 and Cs-137) in Fukushima soils following the 2011 nuclear accident. J Environ Radioact. 139:364–72. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.05.006

[50] Shabiha Hossain, Amit Hasan Anik and Mahbub Alam (2022). Radioactivity and Its Possible Impact on Environment and Human Health: A Review. Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 10 (4), 24-34. PubMed

[51] Singh R, Patel V, Kumar S (2020). Monitoring of radionuclides in river water: activity concentrations and dose assessment. J Radioanal Nucl Chem. 324(2), 567–575.

[52] Tufail M, Ahmad N, Mirza SM (2007). Natural radioactivity levels in Pakistani soils. Radiat Prot Dosimetry.112(3), 443–7.

[53] Tufail, M., Mirza, S. M., & Mirza, N. M. (2007). Natural radioactivity and dose assessment of Pakistani building materials. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 123(2), 131–136.

[54] Turhan Ş (2009). Radiological assessment of natural radioactivity in soils from Turkey. J Environ Radioact. 100(1), 49–53. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.10.004

[55] United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation: UNSCEAR 2000 report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes. United Nations.

[56] UNSCEAR (2000). Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation Report to the General Assembly. United Nations.

[57] UNSCEAR (2010). Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation. UNSCEAR Report 2010. United Nations.

[58] UNSCEAR (2021). Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation. UNSCEAR Report 2020/2021. United Nations.

[59] UNSCEAR. (2010). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation: UNSCEAR 2010 report. United Nations.

[60] World Health Organization (WHO). (2009). WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon: A Public Health Perspective. WHO Press.

[61] Yadav VK, Kumar A, Tripathi S (2017). Measurement of natural radioactivity in soil samples from urban areas of India. J Radiat Res Appl Sci. 10(3), 283–9. doi:10.1016/j.jrras.2017.05.004

[62] EC (European Commission) (2000). Radiation Protection 112: Radiological Protection Principles Concerning the Natural Radioactivity of Building Materials. European Commission.

[63] Tufail M, Iqbal M, Mirza SM (2000). Measurement of natural radioactivity in marble found in Pakistan using a NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 51(2):255–265. doi:10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00077-1 scirp.org

[64] Trevisi R, Risica S, D'Alessandro M, Montereali MR (2001). Natural radioactivity in building materials: A European survey. Radiat Prot Dosimetry.95(2):247–252.

[65] El-Hussein A, et al (2003). Assessment of natural radionuclides in building materials used in Egypt. Appl Radiat Isot.58(4), 519–525.

[66] Fawzia Ahmad (2007). Natural radioactivity levels in building materials used in Egypt. Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids. 162(1), 43-52. DOI: 10.1080/10420150600968246

[67] EL-Taher A. (2012). Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards for Building Materials Used in Qassim Area, Saudi Arabia. Rom. Journ. Phys.57(3–4), 726–735, Bucharest,

[68] Xinwei L (2005). Natural radioactivity in some building materials of Xi’an, China. Radiation Measurements. 40(1), 94–97. doi:10.1016/j.radmeas.2005.01.003 OSTI+1

[69] Righi S, Bruzzi L (2006). Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation in building materials used in Italian dwellings. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 88(2), 158–170. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.01.009 PubMed+1.

[70] Omer H, Korkmaz ME (2007). Analysis of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 in building materials in Turkey. J Environ Radioact. 99(3), 446–454.

[71] Raghu Y, Ravisankar R, Chandrasekaran A, Vijayagopal P, Venkatraman B (2016). Assessment of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in brick samples used in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamilnadu, India—with a statistical approach. Health Physics.111(3), 265–280. doi:10.1097/HP.0000000000000530.

[72] Ali KK, Al-Hussein A, Mohammed KK, Najim LA, Hasan F (2008). Radioactivity in building materials in Iraq. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 132(3), 421–425. doi:10.1093/rpd/ncn159.

[73] Trevisi R, D’Alessandro M, Risica S, Nuccetelli C (2012). Natural radioactivity in building materials in the European Union: a database and an estimate of radiological significance. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.105:11–20. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.10.001.

[74] Mostafa A.M.A. and Shams A. M Issa (2013). Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Hazards in Some Building Materials Used in New Assiut City, Egypt. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on New Horizons in Basic and Applied Science, Hurghada – Egypt, 1(1). ISSN 1857-8179 (paper). ISSN 1857-8187 (online). http://www.anglisticum.mk

[75] Alaamer A (2012). Assessment of the radiation hazard indices for common building materials used in Saudi Arabia. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 152(4), 420–427.

[76] Isinkaye MO, and Agbi JI (2013). Natural radioactivity and associated radiation hazards of some commonly used building materials in southwest Nigeria. Radioprotection. 48(3):355–365. doi:10.1051/radiopro/2013061.

[77] Al-Jundi J, Salah W, Bawa’aneh MS, Afaneh F (2006). Exposure to radiation from the natural radioactivity in Jordanian building materials. Radiation Protection Dosimetry.118(1), 93–96. doi:10.1093/rpd/nci062.

[78] Garba NN, Rabi’u N, Aliyu AS, Kankara UM, Vatsa AM, Ismaila A, Bello S (2023). Evaluation of natural radioactivity and associated risk in local building materials commonly used in Northwestern Nigeria. Heliyon. 9(5):e15791. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15791.

[79] Isinkaye MO, Agbi JI (2013). Natural radioactivity and associated radiation hazards of some commonly used building materials in southwest Nigeria. Radioprotection. 48(3):355–365. doi:10.1051/radiopro/2013061.

[80] Knarz B, Fajen A, van Dijk P, Jensen P, Masarik J, Meisenberg O, Vanhavere F (2017). Recommendations for the indoor gamma dose assessment from building materials. Building and Environment. 124:230–239. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.08.015

[81] Sahoo, S. K., Pandey, A., Singh, S., & Kumar, R. (2018). Radiological risk from natural radioactivity in cements and concrete materials. Construction and Building Materials, 180, 676–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.065

[82] Al-Zahrani J (2019). Measurement of natural radionuclides and radiological hazards in ceramic tiles from Saudi Arabia. Int J Radiat Res. 17(3), 367–377.

[83] Ogbaka D. T.1, Ibrahim A. Sukamari, Jacob Alheri & Yohanna Yakubu (2020). Assessment of Background Radiation Dose from Building Materials in Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science, 9(2), 29-36. http://ijaes.elitehall.com/

[84] Rana, S., Sahoo, S. K., Pandey, A. K., Singh, S., Suthar, S., & Kumar, A. (2021). Natural radioactivity levels and radiological risk assessment in cement samples from Indian factories. Environmental Earth Sciences, 80, 650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09701-z

[85] IAEA (2022). Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in Building Materials: Safety Report Series No. 120. International Atomic Energy Agency; Vienna

[86] Chen, L., Smith, J., Rodríguez, A., Patel, K., Müller, T., & Wong, S. (2023). Global survey of natural radioactivity in concrete and bricks: Radiological implications. Science of The Total Environment, 857, 159250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159250

[87] Ezugwu, C. K (2024). Radiological hazards of building materials in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic evaluation. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 248–249, 106109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.106109

[88] WHO (2025). Radionuclides in Housing Materials and Indoor Environments: Global Monitoring Report 2025. World Health Organization; Geneva.

[89] UNSCEAR (2000). Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

[90] El-Taher, A. (2010). “Natural radioactivity levels in soil and rocks from central Egypt.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 138(2), 166–173.

[91] Ahmed, N. K. (2005). “Natural radioactivity in soil and rocks of South Sudan.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 78, 1–6.

[92] Ademola, A. K., & Olatunji, M. A. (2011). “Radioactivity concentrations in soil samples of southwestern Nigeria.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 147(4), 542–547.

[93] Lu, X., Li, X., Yun, P., Luo, D., Wang, L., Ren, C., & Chen, C (2012). Measurement of natural radioactivity and assessment of associated radiation hazards in soil around Baoji second coalfired thermal power plant, China. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 148(2), 219-226. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr016.

[94] Almayahi, B. A. (2015). “Assessment of radon in drinking water.” Environmental Earth Sciences, 73, 567–573.

[95] El-Taher, A., & Madkour, H. (2011). “Uranium and thorium in groundwater of Egypt.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 289, 871–878.

[96] Alabere, O., & Ademola, J. (2019). “Radionuclides in groundwater sources in Nigeria.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 191(4), 240.

[97] Somlai, J., Kovács, T., & Fehér, I. (2007). Radioactivity in Hungarian drinking water. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 94, 121- 128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.10.014

[98] Jobbagy, V., et al. (2017). “Monitoring of radioactivity in water resources.” Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 127, 45–49.

[99] IAEA (2010). Radiation Safety in Food and Agriculture. International Atomic Energy Agency.

[100] Fathivand, A. A., et al. (2007). “Natural radioactivity in food products.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 95, 37–45.

[101] Jibiri, N. N., & Farai, I. P. (2007). “Assessment of radionuclides in Nigerian foodstuffs.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 123(3), 321–327.

[102] Al-Masri, M., et al. (2004). “Transfer of radionuclides to crops in Syria.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 79, 1–22.

[103] Tchokossa, P., et al. (2013). “Natural radionuclides in Nigerian food crops.” Food and Chemical Toxicology, 58, 120–128.

[104] WHO (2009). Handbook on Indoor Radon: A Public Health Perspective.

[105] Darby, S. C., Hill, D., Auvinen, A., BarrosDios, J. M., Baysson, H., Bochicchio, F., Deo, H., Fröhlich, J., Hakama, M., Hemminki, K., Heid, I. M., Kreienbrock, L., Kreuzer, M., Lagarde, F., Laurier, D., Li, S., Malker, H., Martuzzi, M., Tirmarche, M., Tomaszewski, K., Whitley, E., Wichmann, H.E., & Zeeb, H. (2005). Radon and lung cancer risk: combined analysis of 13 European case–control studies. BMJ, 330, 223–227.

[106] Tokonami, S., et al. (2005). “Radon measurements in Asia.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 82, 1–13.

[107] Eappen, K. P., et al. (2008). “Indoor radon in dwellings in India.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 130(3), 371–376.

[108] Jibiri, N. N., et al. (2020). “Indoor radon concentrations in Nigeria.” Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 13(1), 342–350.

[109] Papastefanou, C. (2010). “Radiological impact of construction materials.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 99(6), 986–995.

[110] Turhan, Ş. (2008). “Natural radioactivity in building materials in Turkey.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 99(3), 409–414.

[111] Rafique, M., et al. (2011). “Assessment of building materials in Pakistan.” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 143(2–3), 315–320.

[112] El-Taher, A. (2012). “Gamma activity in Egyptian building materials.” Radiation Effects & Defects in Solids, 167(7), 567–575.

[113] Saito, K., Tokonami, S., Sorimachi, A., Ishikawa, T., Hosoda, M., & Inada, H. (2005). Radiation exposure from building materials. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 63(1), 63–73.

@article{1713221,
      author = {Onoja Emmanuel Daniel, N B Akaagerger, Adejo Ogweye Emmanuel, Onah Emmanuel Onah, Eyiyere Peter},
      title = {Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity Levels and Their Health Implications: Systematic Review},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {6},
      pages = {2231-2248},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1713221.pdf},
      abstract = {Environmental radioactivity contributes to population radiation exposure and originates from both natural and man-made sources. Understanding these levels and their health implications is critical for public health, environmental protection, and radiation safety policies. This work systematically reviews published evidence on environmental radioactivity levels across various environmental media and to evaluate associated health implications, including estimated radiation doses and reported health outcomes. PRISMA guidelines were followed in this review. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2025 quantifying environmental radioactivity in air, soil, water, food, or building materials and/or estimating human health risks or radiation doses were eligible studies. Study characteristics, measurement methods, radionuclides, dose estimates, and health outcomes were extracted. Used adapted Newcastle?Ottawa and exposure-assessment appraisal tools to assess bias. Due to heterogeneity, findings were narratively synthesised. Studies consistently found 238U, 232Th, 40K, 226Ra, 222Rn, and 137Cs in environmental media. Mining and granite-rich regions had elevated concentrations, but most regions were within global averages. In most studies, dose estimates were below the 1 mSv/yr public exposure limit, except in high natural background radiation areas and radon-prone homes. Long-term stochastic effects from ingestion pathways and lung cancer risk from radon exposure were the main health concerns. Regional radioactivity levels vary but are generally within international safety limits, with localised hotspots. Public exposure and health risk are most caused by radon. Radon mitigation, monitoring, and education are advised.},
      keywords = {Environmental radioactivity, Radon, Radionuclides, Soil radioactivity, Health effects, Radiation dose, Systematic review.},
      month = {December},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1713221}
  }