Radiological impact of ship-breaking operations and container depot explosions on Sitakunda coast, Chattogram, Bangladesh: implications for public health

Ship-breaking on Bangladesh's Sitakunda coast, the world's second-largest site, releases residual radioisotopes and trace metals, causing continuous radioactive pollution. Thirty soil samples from ship-breaking yards and nearby areas, including a recent explosion site, were meticulously analysed for the first time. The results unveiled notable levels of radionuclides, with activity concentrations of 226Ra ranging from 13 ± 1 to 37 ± 3 Bq/kg (mean: 22 Bq/kg), 232Th from 21 ± 2 to 47 ± 4 Bq/kg (mean: 35 Bq/kg), and 40K from 220 ± 19 to 590 ± 55 Bq/kg (mean: 438 Bq/kg). The highest recorded values for the outdoor absorbed dose rate (66.85 nGy/h) and annual effective dose (0.48 mSv) exceed internationally recognised safety thresholds. This study aims to provide baseline data for radiological mapping and monitoring to ensure regulatory compliance for upcoming nuclear power initiatives and address public health concerns in the region.