Visakhapatnam: GITAM University entered into an MoU with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to monitor Gamma Radiation in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states under the nationwide Environmental Gamma Radiation Monitoring Project.
Varsity Registrar Prof. M. Potharaju, Health Safety & Environment Group (HSE) director of BARC Dr D.N. Sharma signed the MoU. According to the MoU, BARC would cooperate with the university’s project team to develop in-house capability for measurement of Thermo luminescence Dosimeters (TLD) and also to statistically analyse the results from time to time. Gamma rays are the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation with a very short wavelength of less than one-tenth of a nanometer.
This high-energy form of radiation can damage human tissue and cause mutations. In India, environmental gamma radiation monitoring is being carried out on a quarterly basis using CaSO4: Dy based TLDs. The university research team has identified around 525 locations across 23 districts to arrange TLDs. As part of study, the research team would collect the TLDs in every three months to analyse the results.
The number and locations for collection of soil samples will be decided after the first year review of the data of gamma radiation level of the region. The soil samples will be subjected to gamma spectrometry analysis for natural radioactivity contents. The BARC team showed interest to allocate a few more projects to the university.
