Estimation of Radon and Thoron Concentrations with Associated Radiological Hazard Parameters in the Soil of Halabja City Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Hiwa Mohammad Qadr, Kamal O. Abdullah, Adil Hussein, Najeba F. Salih
Abstract
It is important to monitor outdoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) concentrations in order to assess the risk of respiratory cancer, and provide appropriate ways to reduce these concentrations, because the study samples were taken in Halabja city, which has previously bombarded by heavy weapon and chemical bomb. This study aimed to assess the 222Rn and 220Rn in dark brown soil samples using CR-39 detector. The results showed the mean values of 222Rn and 220Rn were 137.60 ± 25.67 and 76.13 ± 20.63 Bq m–3 respectively. These results in each studied soil samples were lower than the global average recommended by ICRP. In order to determine whether the soil of the study area under investigation poses radiological risks, several radiological hazard parameters were used, including potential alpha energy concentration ( $${\text{PAEC}}$$ ) annual effective dose ( $${\text{AED}}$$ ), excess lifetime cancer risk ( $${\text{ELCR}}$$ ), and effective dose rate to different body organ ( $${{D}_{{{\text{organ}}}}}$$ ). The results were compared with the international safe limits. According to ICRP and UNSCEAR recommendation, all radiological hazard parameters had values below the world limit. Furthermore, Correlations between 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations as well as radiological hazard parameters were determined by Pearson correlation coefficient.