This paper reports the results of radioactivity concentrations and heavy metal content in soil samples collected from non-agricultural areas in the municipality and vicinity of North Kosovska Mitrovica, formerly the most important mining area in Europe. The estimated average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs are 40.6 ± 19, 48 ± 25.4, 743.2 ± 200.5 and 81 ± 119 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The estimated average absorbed dose rate in the air and the annual effective dose are 78.7 nGy h⁻¹ and 96.6 μSv, respectively. The radium equivalent activity and external hazard index were also calculated. High contents of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, As and Ni were found in the analyzed soil samples, thus indicating pollution of the environment. Most metals have a wide range of values spanning 2 to 3 orders of magnitude, which is particularly evident for Pb and Zn. Correlations between the activity concentrations of the radionuclides, the heavy metal content in soil and the basic soil properties were determined by means of the Pearson linear coefficient. Strong positive correlations between the naturally occurring radionuclides, and also among Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd were found.

Indoor radon and meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, precipitation, indoor dew point, wind direction, wind speed and heat index) were simultaneously monitored in an old residential house in a radon suspected area. Measurements were performed during the period from winter to summer (13 February 2021–15 August 2021). Indoor radon concentrations were measured with detectors, Airthings Corentium Home (alpha spectrometry method), and meteorological parameters were continuously monitored by the meteorological station WTH600–E (wireless weather station). The influence of geological characteristics in the study area was analyzed, as well as some observed variations and correlations with indoor/outdoor meteorological parameters. The results indicated that indoor radon levels are higher in the spring/summer season than in the winter season. Diurnal radon concentrations varied during measuring period from 303–1708 Bq/m³ (average 949 Bq/m³) and 427–1852 Bq/m³ (average 1116 Bq/m³) for the living room and bedroom, respectively. Indoor radon concentrations correlated with: outdoor/indoor temperature, indoor humidity (r = 0.45, r = 0.40, r = 0.32, r = 0.56, respectively); indoor dew point (r = 0.53); outdoor barometric pressure (r = −0.26); there were no clear correlation with precipitation and outdoor humidity. The health risk due to long-term, high radon exposure was assessed through the calculated inhalation dose.

Since 1996/97, indoor radon has been measured in scattered locations around Kosovo. In the most recent campaign, apart from radon, thoron and Rn and Tn progenies have also been measured. The current survey involves 48 houses, in which different detectors have been deployed side-by-side in one room, in order to measure indoor radon and thoron gas with RADUET devices based on CR-39 detectors (analysed by Japanese collaborators) and with direct thoron and radon progeny sensor (DTPS and DRPS) devices based on LR-115 detectors (analysed by collaborators from India). Estimated arithmetic mean values of concentrations in 48 houses are 122 Bq m⁻³ for radon and 136 Bq m⁻³ for thoron. Those for equilibrium equivalent radon concentration and equilibrium equivalent thoron concentration based on measurements in 48 houses are 40 and 2.1 Bq m⁻³, respectively. The arithmetic mean value of the equilibrium factor is estimated to be 0.50±0.23 for radon and 0.037±0.041 for thoron. The preliminary results of these measurements are reported, particularly regarding DTPS and DRPS being set up in real field conditions for the first time in the Balkan region. The results are to be understood under the caveat of open questions related to measurement protocols which yield reproducible and representative results, and to quality assurance of Tn and Rn/Tn progeny measurements in general, some of which are discussed.

In urban areas, forest patches and parks are usually the places where people spend most of their time outdoors. Because of poor environmental protection policy and insufficient investment in industry and energy, Serbia is often ranked among the European countries with the greatest environmental pollution. In recent years, ecological protests have been organized throughout the country with the aim of raising ecological awareness and resolving environmental issues. The topic has become particularly popular since the plans for opening new mining areas in western Serbia came to the fore. This study was conducted with the aim to investigate radioactivity levels and metals content in soil and foliage of the most popular parks in Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia. Based on a GIS (geographic information system) approach, the spatial distribution maps of radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, ⁷Be, and ¹³⁷Cs) and metals (As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn) were made. Ambient dose-equivalent rate in air was also measured. The annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk from radionuclides were calculated. Health effects of exposure to heavy metals in soil were estimated by noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment.