The Mamuju region in West Sulawesi has been recorded as receiving far\nhigher natural radiation exposure compared to the global average. The\nradiation level in this area is approximately nine times higher than the\nnatural radiation exposure typically received by humans worldwide.<\/p>\n
These findings are contained in the UNSCEAR 2024 Report - Annex B\nreleased by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of\nAtomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The report evaluates ionising radiation\nexposure to populations across various countries.<\/p>\n
Nur Rahmah Hidayati, Senior Researcher at the BRIN Centre for\nResearch on Radiation Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology\nand Indonesia\u2019s representative to UNSCEAR, stated that Mamuju is\nclassified as a High Natural Background Radiation Area (HNBRA).<\/p>\n
The estimated annual effective dose from natural radiation sources in\nthis region reaches approximately 27 millisieverts (mSv) per year. By\ncomparison, the average natural radiation exposure globally is only\nabout 3 mSv per year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf compared, the exposure received by Mamuju residents is almost\nnine times greater than the global average,\u201d Nur Rahmah stated.<\/p>\n
She explained that the high radiation exposure in Mamuju is mainly\ncaused by very high concentrations of uranium and thorium in the soil.\nThe concentration of uranium-238 and thorium-232 at several locations\neven reaches hundreds to more than 1,000 Bq\/kg, far above the global\naverage of approximately 33 Bq\/kg and 45 Bq\/kg respectively.<\/p>\n
Additionally, radon gas levels in Mamuju\u2019s outdoor air are also\nrelatively high, ranging between 22 to 760 Bq\/m\u00b3 with an average of\napproximately 290 Bq\/m\u00b3. Radon gas is one of the main contributors to\nnatural radiation exposure.<\/p>\n
Despite this, local building conditions and residents\u2019 lifestyles\nhelp reduce radon accumulation inside homes. Natural ventilation and\ntraditional house structures mean radon concentrations indoors do not\nincrease drastically compared to the outdoor environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe presence of areas with high natural radiation like Mamuju is\nconsidered scientifically important as it can serve as a research\nlocation to understand the long-term impacts of low-level radiation\nexposure on human health,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Globally, UNSCEAR also confirms that natural sources remain the\nlargest contributor to radiation exposure for the world\u2019s population.\nMost comes from radon inhaled through breathing as well as natural\nradionuclides in soil and building materials.<\/p>\n
Heru Prasetio, Head of the BRIN Centre for Research on Radiation\nSafety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, stated that variations\nin natural radiation levels across different world regions are a normal\ngeological phenomenon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis finding shows that Indonesia, through BRIN, is contributing to\nupdating the global database regarding natural radiation exposure\nthrough studies in Mamuju,\u201d Heru said.<\/p>\n
He added that research data from Mamuju becomes an important\ncomponent in international studies regarding variations in background\nradiation across different parts of the world whilst strengthening\nIndonesia\u2019s contribution to global research in the field of radiation\nsafety.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mamuju-city-experiences-highest-radiation-exposure-causes-prove-unexpected-1773582982", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }