Gamma radiation doses in Sweden

Gamma dose rate measurements were performed in one urban and one rural area using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) worn by 46 participants and placed in their dwellings. The personal effective dose rates were 0.096 +/- 0.019 (1 SD) and 0.092 +/- 0.016 (1 SD) mu Sv/h in the urban and rural area, respectively. The corresponding dose rates in the dwellings were 0.11 +/- 0.042 (1 SD) and 0.091 +/- 0.026 (1 SD) mu Sv/h. However, the differences between the areas were not significant. The values were higher in buildings made of concrete than of wood and higher in apartments than in detached houses. Also, Rn-222 measurements were performed in each dwelling, which showed no correlation with the gamma dose rates in the dwellings.