Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measurement of ambient gamma dose rate in Metro Manila, Philippines, using a portable NaI(TI) scintillation survey meter

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Radiological data such as ambient dose equivalent rate obtained from radiation monitoring in Metro Manila are useful for the detection of any anomalous increase of radiation dose rate levels due to nuclear or radiological emergencies. In this study, ambient dose equivalent rates were measured in different locations in Metro Manila using a portable NaI(Tl) scintillation survey meter to determine the background radiation levels within the capital. Ambient dose equivalent rates measured range from 32.7 ± 2.2 to 59.3 ± 8.7 nanosieverts per hour (nSv/h) with computed mean and median values of 41.7 and 39.6 nSv/h, respectively. These values were lower than the Philippines’ average dose rate which is 52 nanograys per hour (nGy/h). No significant trend was also observed in the monthly variation of ambient dose equivalent rate for most locations, with the dose rates being relatively consistent throughout a year. No significant trend was further observed in the monthly variation of ambient dose equivalent rate for the whole Metro Manila. Data obtained in this study were used to develop a dose rate distribution map of Metro Manila which could be used as a baseline reference of emergency responders for environmental radioactivity monitoring during nuclear or radiological emergencies that may affect Metro Manila.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Agence France-Presse. (2016). Philippines eyes reviving the mothballed nuclear plant. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/144804-philippines-eyes-reviving-bataan-nuclear-plant. Accessed 15 Aug 2019.

  • Bossew, P., Cinelli, G., Hernández-Ceballos, M., Cernohlawek, N., Gruber, V., Dehandschutter, B., Menneson, F., Bleher, M., Stöhlker, U., Hellmann, I., Weiler, F., Tollefsen, T., Tognoli, P. V., & de Cort, M. (2017). Estimating the terrestrial gamma dose rate by decomposition of the ambient dose equivalent rate. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 166, 296–308 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.02.013.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, P. T. F., Bonga, A. C., Dela Sada, C. L., Olivares, J. U., Dela Cruz, F. M., Palad, L. J. H., Jesuitas, A. J., Cabatbat, E. C., Garcia, T. Y., & Feliciano, C. P. (2019). Assessment of temporal variations of natural radionuclides Beryllium-7 and Lead-212 in surface air in Tanay, Philippines. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 208-209, 105989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.105989.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, T. Y., Aniago, R. J., & Palad, L. J. H. (2014). Monitoring radioactivity in the Philippine environment immediately after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. In Al Shehhi, A. & Saidou, S. (Chairs), Global responses to the Fukushima accident [National presentation] International Experts’ Meeting on Radiation Protection after the Fukushima Daiichi Accident - Promoting confidence and understanding, Vienna, Austria. https://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/cn224p/Session15/Garcia.pdf. Accessed 28 Apr 2020.

  • Gonzalez, M. (2006). Blank map of Metro Manila. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BlankMap-MetroManila.png. Accessed 20 June 2019.

  • Huang, Y., Guo, G., He, Y., Yang, L., Shan, Z., Chen, C., & Shang-Guan, Z. (2016). A comparative study of terrestrial gamma dose rate in air measured by thermo-luminescent dosimeter, portable survey meter, and HPGe gamma spectrometer. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 164, 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.06.020.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • International Atomic Energy Agency. (2013). Actions to protect the public in an emergency due to severe conditions at a light water reactor.

  • International Atomic Energy Agency. (2015). The Fukushima Daiichi accident. (Vol. 4).

  • International Commission on Radiological Protection. (1996). Conversion coefficients for use in radiological protection against external radiation. Pergamon.

  • Iwaoka, K., Palad, L. J. H., Mendoza, C. O., Hosoda, M., Cruz, P. T. F., Enriquez, E. B., Aniago, R. J., Feliciano, C. P., Tokonami, S., & Kanda, R. (2019). Absorbed dose rates in air along the roads in Quezon City, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Science, 148(2), 395–399 http://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/images/pdf/pjs_pdf/vol148no2/absorved_dose_rates_in_air_.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug 2019.

  • Japan International Cooperation Agency. (2010). The study of masterplan on high standard highway network development in the Republic of the Philippines: final report. CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd.

  • Lucas, D. L. (2016). Duterte gives nuke plant green light. Philippine Daily Inquirer: Technology. https://technology.inquirer.net/55523/duterte-gives-nuke-plant-green-light. Accessed 15 Aug 2019.

  • Nazarea, T. Y., Nato, A. Q., Enriquez, E. B., Palad, L. J. H., Dela Cruz, F. M., Garcia, T. Y., Asada, A. A., & Cobar, M. L. C. (2004). Radiological surveillance of the former US Base: Poro, Point, San Fernando City, La Union. Philippine Nuclear Journal, 14, 40–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Philippine Nuclear Research Institute - Annual Report. (2011), PNRI.

  • Philippine Statistics Authority. (2018). 2018 Philippine Statistical Yearbook.

  • Sy, M. (2018). Senator wants Bataan Nuclear Power Plant revived. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/01/1801649/senator-wants-Bataan-nuclear-power-plant-revived. Accessed 15 Aug 2019.

  • United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. (Vol. 1). United Nations.

  • World Nuclear Association. (2018). Asia’s nuclear energy growth. http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/others/asias-nuclear-energy-growth.aspx. Accessed 3 July 2018.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PNRI) for supporting this study. The authors would also like to thank all the staff of the Health Physics Research Section, DOST-PNRI for their support and encouragement.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Physics Research Section, Atomic Research Division, Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PNRI), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Commonwealth Avenue, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    Rosario R. Encabo, Paolo Tristan F. Cruz, Antonio C. Bonga III, Christian L. Dela Sada, Vanessa J. Omandam, Juanario U. Olivares & Chitho P. Feliciano

  2. National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan

    Kazuki Iwaoka

Authors
  1. Rosario R. Encabo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paolo Tristan F. Cruz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Antonio C. Bonga III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christian L. Dela Sada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vanessa J. Omandam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Juanario U. Olivares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kazuki Iwaoka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Chitho P. Feliciano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosario R. Encabo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Encabo, R.R., Cruz, P.T.F., Bonga, A.C. et al. Measurement of ambient gamma dose rate in Metro Manila, Philippines, using a portable NaI(TI) scintillation survey meter. Environ Monit Assess 192, 400 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08361-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08361-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation