Measurement of Radon Concentration Using SSNTD in Bartella Region

Abstract

The alpha-radioactive inert gas Radon exhalation is associated with presence of Radium and its ultimate precursor uranium in the earth crust. Uranium decay deposits radon in soil, which is harmful on human and environment. The exposure of population to high concentration of alpha radioactivity mainly of Radon for a long period leads to lung cancer. The radon activity concentrations, radium contents, radon exhalation rates in twenty one soil samples collected from Bartella region, were measured using the sealed-can technique based on the CR-39 SSNTDs. In the present paper the estimated values for radon activity concentration in air space are in the range 323.2-2424 Bq/m3 with mean value of 1212.7 Bq/m3, the radon concentration in soil sample are 31.66-237.46 KBq/m3 with mean value of 118.83 KBq/m3, the radium contents were found vary between 1.36-10.24 Bq/Kg with mean value 5.11 Bq/Kg, the radon mass exhalation rate vary between 10.34-77.56 mBq/Kg/hr with mean 38.81 mBq/Kg/hr, the radon surface exhalation rate are between 234.2-1756.4 mBq/m2/hr with mean value of 878.6 mBq/m2/hr. All values of the samples under the test are below of permissible values 370 Bq/Kg of radium content and 57600 mBq/m2/hr radon exhalation, recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Hence the area under investigation is safe as for as health hazards of radium and safe in radiological risks due to radon exposure from the soil.