An overview on studying 222Rn exhalation rates using passive technique solid-state nuclear track detectors

Abstract

Problem statement: Uranium is a radiotoxic element found in trace quantities in alomost all natural accurring materials like soil, rock. Radon an inert radioactive gas whose predecessor in uranium, is emitted from soil beneath the house and from building materials. Accurate knowledge of exhalation rate plays an important role in characterization of the radon source strength in some building materials and soil. It is a useful quantity to compare the relative importance of different sample of building materials and soil. Approach: This study provides an overview of measurements of radon exhalation rates for selected samples in Egypt were carried out using passive measuring techniques were measured by Can Technique using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors. Results: The radon concentration varies from 2.44-29 k Bq m-3 and the corresponding values of surface exhalation rates from 4.16-26.24 Bq m-2. h the radium content 226Ra results in all samples under test in increasing order of magnitude. From the results it can be noticed that The lowest value of 226Ra is 7 Bq kg-1 in Sand sample, while the highest value is 85 Bq kg-1 Ordinary Cement. Conclusion: All the values of radium content in all samples under test were found to be quite lower than the permissible value of 370 Bq kg-1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. © 2012 Science Publication.