Lung dose determined due to inhalation of radon gas from building materials used in Al-Shatra city, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq

Inhaling radon is the most common way that humans are exposed to this radioactive gas. Radon can seep into buildings and homes, where it can accumulate to levels that can be harmful to human health. According to the World Health Organization, radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer.

The radon concentrations, effective dosage and lung dose were assessed in construction building materials of sand, cement, and bricks in Al-Shatra City, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq using solid state nuclear track detector CR-39.

The average radon concentrations in sand were 92.766 ± 46.518 Bqm-3, while in bricks was 198.256 ± 87.64 Bqm-3 and cement was 69.897±46.903 Bqm-3. According to this study, there was difference in the concentrations of radon, and the largest amount was found in the bricks.  An annual effective dose was 2.34 mSvy-1, 4.99 mSvy-1 and 1.76 mSvy-1 for sand, bricks and cement, respectively. On the other hand, the lung dose was determined to be 3.71, 7.92 and 2.795 for sand, bricks and cement respectively.

The concentrations of radon gas in building materials were consistent with recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 200-300 Bqm-3 except the bricks materials.