The natural and artificial radioactivity in beach sediment sampled from the coastline of Ghana were analyzed using High Purity Germanium gamma ray detector. The overall average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were estimated to be 43 ± 6, 22 ± 1, 393 ± 74 and 8.4 ± 0.5 Bqkg⁻¹, respectively. Apart from ²²⁶Ra the mean activity concentrations of the measured radionuclides were below the world averages of 32, 45, 412 and 18.2 Bqkg⁻¹ respectively. High ¹³⁷Cs mean concentration of 109.8 Bqkg⁻¹ was observed for one of the locations, which might be due to the occurrence of a nuclear incidence or other factors. The evaluated radiological parameters also had values below world averages, except for some coastal areas which recorded Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE) values higher than the reference level of 300 μSvy⁻¹. There was no significant risk associated with the radionuclide activities evaluated along the coast of Ghana. The correlation between the radionuclides and the radiological parameters were analyzed with the Pearson correlation matrix, cluster and PCA analysis, and they all showed similar outcomes. Spatial distribution maps were also created using ArcGIS software for a pictorial view of the distribution of radionuclides along the study area.

In recent times, groundwater has emerged as an alternative drinking water source for populations in Ghana’s gold mining communities due to high pollution levels in surface water resources caused by artisanal miners. This study presents the findings on different radioactivity levels in groundwater, their sources, the characteristics of aquifers in the study area, and the impact of radionuclides on human health as a factor of water quality. The mean activity concentrations of radionuclides in groundwater samples were 0.1 ± 0.04 Bq/L for Ra-226, 0.36 ± 0.05 Bq/L for Ra-228, and 1.41 ± 0.10 Bq/L for K-40. The activity concentration of 228Ra exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline level of 0.1 Bq/L. The elevated levels of Ra-228 in groundwater were found to be of natural origin, emanating from the aquifer rocks in the study area. Groundwater resources near mining zones showed higher radioactivity levels. The corresponding committed effective dose from consuming such groundwater was estimated to be higher than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) recommended value of 0.3 mSv/y for children and infants, indicating potential health risks.

The presence of radionuclides in environmental media, including sediment, is critical in assessing potential health risks due to external gamma radiation. This study investigates the spatial distribution of natural (Ra-226, Th-232, K-40) and artificial (Cs-137) radionuclides in sediment along the Dixcove coastline, Ghana, using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations of Ra-226 ranged from ~14 to ~23 Bq/kg, Th-232 from ~3 to ~10 Bq/kg, and K-40 from ~44 to ~93 Bq/kg, with Cs-137 levels between 0.2 and 1.3 Bq/kg. The highest concentrations of Ra-226 and K-40 were found On-shore, suggesting terrestrial influence, while Th-232 displayed a more uniform distribution. Radiological risk assessments, including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual effective dose (AED), and gamma index (Iγ), confirmed that all measured values were below international safety thresholds, indicating no significant health risk. However, the variability in Cs-137 distribution suggests the need for continued monitoring to assess potential long-term contamination trends. A significant discrepancy was observed when comparing Cs-137 values from this study (maximum 1.3 Bq/kg) with previously reported data (~110 Bq/kg), raising concerns about methodological differences or environmental changes, which require further investigation. To address the observed discrepancies between this study and previous investigations, future research should incorporate in situ measurement techniques for a more comprehensive assessment of Cs-137 distribution.

The concept of radiological sustainability has been reviewed using the possibility of the reutilization of NORMs regarding the 2050 sustainable development concepts. This study is reviewing the capability of re-production of NORM residues based on their properties and the applicable treatment before reutilization. Linking the waste producers and construction materials industry as mineral end-users could contribute to the creation of industrial symbiosis and result in waste reduction and preserving natural resources on one hand, and CO₂ reducing and energy saving on the other hand. According to EU-BSS (European Basic Safety Standards Directive), the characterization of NORMs as a secondary raw material for use as construction materials is necessary, however as an additive or secondary material their radiological behavior and material properties are quite important regardless of their origin. This is to say that the reutilization of NORM residues provides a better financial and environmental solution while reducing possible radiological effects on humans. NORM residue or waste could become a high material resource for the cement industry. In this regard, the assessment of radium equivalents (Raeq) and external and internal indexes (I-indexes) are useful tools to classify NORM residues before their inclusion in building products. This assessment and/or indexes reflect the risk of external exposure much better than the specific activity concentration of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40. Equally, building material properties such as density and thickness should be taken into consideration when designing building materials that contain NORM residue. Furthermore, mixtures or additives of NORM residues are proven to result in the reduction of activity concentration in the raw residue with other raw materials, and this offers flexible reuse options depending on the final product. By integrating radiological considerations into sustainable development initiatives, we can work towards a safer, healthier and more sustainable future.

Artisanal gold mining can enhance natural radioactivity in nearby environmental media. This study assessed health risks and environmental impacts associated with the release of natural radionuclides in Atiwa West, Ghana. Activities of naturally occurring radionuclides were measured in soil samples (Ra-226, Th-232, K-40) and water samples (Ra-226, Ra-228, K-40) by HPGe γ-spectrometry; Ra-226 in vegetation was estimated from soil activities using a transfer factor. The mean activity concentrations in soils were 22.1 ± 2.1 Bq/kg (Ra-226), 27.5 ± 2.3 Bq/kg (Th-232) and 198 ± 22 Bq/kg (K-40). At several water locations, Ra-226 and Ra-228 exceeded the WHO screening levels for drinking water of 1.0 Bq/L and 0.1 Bq/L, respectively. Radiological hazard indices attributable to inhalation and ingestion were evaluated. Overall, soil radiological risks were low; however, approximately 22% of sites recorded values above the global average annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE). In some locations, the committed effective dose from drinking water surpassed the WHO screening threshold of 0.1 mSv/y, with the associated excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) exceeding 2.9 × 10⁻⁴. Overall, the mining-affected waters presented a greater potential radiological impact than the soils, underscoring the need for water quality management and periodic monitoring in artisanal mining areas.

Reliable and accurate radon diagnostics in buildings with elevated radon levels are crucial for selecting the most effective mitigation strategies. Traditionally, such diagnostics relied on passive integrating detectors paired with continuous radon monitors (CRMs), which offer time-resolved and detailed insights into radon fluctuations. However, the historically high cost of CRMs significantly limited widespread deployment. Recent advancements in digital electronics have made various low-cost CRMs such as Corentium Pro and Radonye + 2-broadly available. Although recent scientific studies have thoroughly assessed the performance of these detectors under controlled conditions, their effectiveness in real-world radon diagnostics is not yet well documented. The study aimed to evaluate the applicability of two types of low-cost CRMs – Corentium Pro and RadonEye + 2 – for radon diagnostic evaluation of a residential building. Radon levels were monitored in designated areas of the home across three separate measurement campaigns. To support comprehensive analysis, additional data were collected, including air exchange rates measured via tracer gas techniques, grab samples from indoors leaks and soil gas, and concurrent monitoring of meteorological conditions. Radon concentration measurements obtained from the different methods were in good agreement. Time-series analyses revealed a strong correlation between indoor radon levels and the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments. Furthermore, measurements of air-exchange rates were instrumental in pinpointing the primary radon entry pathways, enabling the design of more effective remediation strategies.