Radon Gas Detection of Soil Samples in Primary Schools at Najaf City, Iraq

Abstract

Abstract: The radon concentration, specific activity of ²²⁶Ra (C_Ra), and ²³⁸U concentrations (C_U) in soil samples from 100 primary schools of Al-Najaf province, Iraq, were measured to determine the safety of students and staff using the CR-39 nuclear track detector based on the sealed can technique. The mean values of ²²²Rn concentration in the air space of the container (C) and the soil sample (C_Rn) were 23.53±1.149Bq/m3 and 960.38±47 Bq/m3, respectively. The mean values of C_Ra and C_U were 0.035±0.002 Bq/kg and 0.043±0.002 ppm, respectively. The ²²²Rn,²²⁶Ra, and ²³⁸U concentrations were lower than the worldwide level. Radiological parameters such as annual effective dose (AED) and radon exhalation rate per unit mass (E_M) and per unit surface (E_S) also were determined. The results indicate normal levels for these parameters, except for higher values of AED in some primary schools, according to UNSCEAR data.