Abstract
In this work, we are presenting the results of radium concentration, surface and mass radon exhalation rates for a number of 209 soil samples collected from different locations of Kassala town, Sudan, by using the can technique, containing CR-39. The values of radium concentrations from soil samples were found to be ranging from 3.9 to 34.2 Bq.kg-1, with an average of 16.3 ± 1.6 Bq.kg-1. The surface and mass exhalation rates of radon were found to be from 0.84 to 7.35 Bq.m-2.h-1 and 17 to 148 mBq.kg-1.h-1, with an averages of 3.50 ± 0.35 Bq.m-2.h-1 and 70 ± 7 mBq.kg-1.h-1, respectively for the studied soil samples. From the results of this study we found that, there was a good correlation between radium concentration and radon exhalation rates in soil samples. The values of radium concentration determined in soil samples are less than the permissible value of 370 Bq.kg-1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developments, which is acceptable for safe use. Thus, results reveal that the area is safe as far the health hazard effects are concerned. Finally we compare our results with similar findings in different regions of Sudan and among other Countries.
Highlights
Radon, a gaseous product of uranium decay series, is odorless, colorless and tasteless
It was recorded that radon exhalation rate studies are important for understanding the relative contribution of the material to the total radon concentration found inside the dwellings [11, 12]
This survey is conducted to continue our previous works of measuring indoor radon concentrations [16,17,18,19,20,21], radon and radium concentrations and radon exhalation rates from soil samples from various locations in Sudan [10, 15, 22,23,24], radon concentration from water samples [25, 26] and building materials [9]
Summary
A gaseous product of uranium decay series, is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It can change the physical properties of the surrounding medium. The measurement of radon exhalation rate in soil and building materials is helpful to study radon health hazard [9, 10]. It was recorded that radon exhalation rate studies are important for understanding the relative contribution of the material to the total radon concentration found inside the dwellings [11, 12]. Being aware of the hazardous effects of radon exhalation on human health, it was necessary to conduct measurements of radium content in the soil. Elzain et al.: A Study of Radium Concentration and Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil. Since radium present in the soil is the main source of indoor radon, the estimation of radium content along with the radon exhalation rate in the soil was carried out
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