Radon exhalation study in building materials used in Al - Diwaniyah governorate, Iraq

Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. There is a considerable public concern about radon exhalation from building materials and its contribution to indoor radon levels. To address this concern, radon exhalation rates were determined for 24 different samples of building material commonly used in Al - Diwaniyah, Iraq dwellings, using solid-state nuclear track detectors (CR-39). The highest contribution is found in Granite from Italy, 169.04  ±  11.38 (Bq/m3), 386.184 (mBq/m2h), and 4.26 (mSv/y) for radon concentration, surface radon exhalation rate, and the annual effective dose, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest contribution is found in Gypsum from Najaf - Iraq with radon concentration (Bq/m3), radon exhalation rate (mBq/m2h), and the annual effective dose (mSv/y) of about 11.40  ±  0.11, 22.716, and 0.284. The obtained average values of these three quantities are 104.276  ±  7,50, 108.21, and 1.45, respectively. The average annual effective dose of radon concentrations is acceptable, compared with the standard limit value presented in ICRP.