Evaluation of radioactive environmental hazards in Area-3, Northern Palmyrides, Central Syria using airborne spectrometric gamma technique

Airborne spectrometric gamma data are used in this paper to estimate the degree of radioactive hazard on humanity in Area-3, Northern Palmyrides, Central Syria. Exposure Rate (ER), Absorbed Dose Rate (ADR), Annual Effective Dose Rate (AEDR), and Heat Production (HP) of the eleven radiometric units included in the established lithological scored map in the study area have been computed to evaluate the radiation background influence in humans. The results obtained indicate that a human body in Area-3 is subjected to radiation hazards in the acceptable limits for long duration exposure. The highest radiogenetic heat production values in Area-3 correspond to the phosphatic locations characterized by relatively high values of uranium and thorium. •Degree of radioactive hazard has been estimated by using airborne spectrometric gamma data.•ER, ADR, AEDR, and HP of the eleven radiometric units have been computed.•Comparison of AEDR of Area-3 with the AEDR of Area-1.•Human body in Area-3 is subjected to radiation hazards in the acceptable limits for long duration exposure.•The highest heat production in Area-3 correspond to the phosphatic locations.