Mapping of Alpha Emitters for Soil Samples in Kufa Districts, Iraq

Abstract

In this study, radon (Rn) gas concentrations were measured in the soil samples taken at various locations in the Kufa district, Iraq. The study was conducted using a solid-state nuclear track detector (SSNTD), commercially known as CR-39, purchased from the TASTRAK Analysis System. Also, radium and uranium concentrations and annual effective dose, mass exhalation rate, surface exhalation rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk due to radon gas were calculated. The results show that the average values, with a standard deviation of radon concentrations, in the air space of a tube containing the sample and in the samples were 14±1 Bq/m³ and 895±74 Bq/m³, respectively. We also found that the average value of the annual effective dose was 0.36±0.08 mSv/y. We employed the GIS (ArcGIS 10.7.1.) technique to draw the main conclusions of the study. The study demonstrates that the measured levels of radon gas concentrations are within acceptable ranges in terms of potential health risks.