Soils are the main pathway to the evaluation of the natural radioactivity for the environmental radiation exposure and health concerns involved. The particular activities of the naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of radium, thorium and potassium in soil samples were studied at three different sites in Hillah, Babylon. The activity concentrations of these radionuclides were determined by collecting the soil samples, preparing them and analyzing them by high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma ray spectrometry. A complete set of radiological indicators was computed to determine possible dangers. The absorbed dose rate is a direct measurement of the rate of energy deposited in air by gamma radiation and is an estimate of the external exposure. The annual effective dosage is the conversion of this exposure to the annual risk estimate for the population, including indoor and outdoor space occupancy. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) is a common measure for the combined radiological effects of 214Ra, 212Th and 40K and facilitates the criteria of safety. The external hazard index (Hex) and internal hazard index (Hin) are indicators of the probability of external gamma radiation and internal exposure from radon inhalation, respectively. Furthermore, the dosage for the internal (indoor) and exterior (outdoor) was computed and the radiation weighting factor (Rw) for gamma rays was used for correct risk assessment. Results indicate that mean specific activities of 214Ra, 212Th and 400K are 31.53, 27.33 and 409.67 Bq/kg respectively and all values are well within global averages. All estimated radioactive indices and effective doses are below international safety standards. This indicates negligible radiation danger to the inhabitants of Hillah.

Hayder. K. Obayes, "Measurement of Natural Radioactive Isotopes in Soil Samples from Three Sites in Hillah, Babylon" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(5): Page(1402-1412) September - October 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.