Measurements and comparisons of gamma radiation doses in a high and a low 137Cs deposition area in Sweden

Sweden is one of the countries affected by the Chernobyl fallout. The aim of the present study was to investigate the average radiation dose to people living in a high-deposition area (the parish of Hille) in Sweden for comparison with dose rates previously measured in a low-deposition area in western Sweden. Individual measurements (personal and dwelling dose rates) were performed using thermoluminescence dosimeters in 24 randomly chosen individuals. Dwelling and personal dose rates in Hille were 0.12 and 0.11 μSv/h, respectively. The dose rates in Hille were slightly higher than in western Sweden (difference for detached houses = 0.024 μSv/h for personal and 0.030 μSv/h for dwelling dose rates), partly because of the higher 137Cs deposition. In wooden houses, the difference was somewhat greater. Our results indicate a current contribution to personal gamma radiation in this area of about 0.2 mSv per year from the Chernobyl fallout.