Abstract
Cosmic radiation is one of the most important sources of human exposure to natural radiation. Data regarding the level of cosmic radiation in different areas of Pakistan are lacking. The aim of the present study was therefore to estimate the annual outdoor effective doses from cosmic radiation in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The Punjab province is located between geodetic latitudes 28 degree and 34 degree N, and longitudes 69 degree and 75 degree E. The mean value of the outdoor annual effective dose was found to be 333 mu Sv, which generates a radiation dose of 0.33mSvy-1 per caput. This is 87% of radiation dose received by the population in the region from terrestrial sources reported elsewhere. The results of this study will contribute to regional as well as world data regarding the exposure of the population to cosmic radiation.