Assessment of Radon, Radium, and Uranium Concentrations in Decorative Materials (Used to walls) Samples in Iraqi Markets

Abstract

In present study, natural alpha emitters (222Rn, 226Ra, and 238U) were tested in decorative materials used as walls collected from different Iraqi local markets by CR-39 detectors that it was purchased from TASTRAK Analysis System. Annual effective dose and radon exhalation rate were calculated. The results obtained showed that the range and average value of 222Rn concentrations in air container were 7.94 – 738.10 Bq/m3 and 252.38±37.63 Bq/m3, while 222Rn concentrations in in sample were 45.73– 4252.99 Bq/m3 and 1454.25±216.84 Bq/m3. The ranged of 226Ra and 238U concentrations were 0.010- 1.000 Bq/kg, with an average value 0.278±0.04 Bq/kg and 0.01- 1.24 ppm, with an average value 0.344±0.05 ppm, respectively. The results obtained showed that the range and average value of annual effective dose in mSv/y were 0.2 –18.62 and 6.29±0.95. Also, it is found that the mass exhalation rate as well as surface exhalation rate were 8.38±1.33 mBq/kg.day and 240.77±36.56 mBq/m2.day, respectively. The data of 222Rn concentration (in air container), and annual effective dose in some samples of the present study were higher than the global limit range (200-300 Bq/m3), and (3-10 mSv/y) according to ICRP. While, all results of 226Ra, and 238U concentrations as well as the mass with surface exhalation rate were within the permissible limits that suggested by UNSEAR, and ICRP. Then, it can be concluded that the most samples of decorative materials which used as walls according to radiation scope no causes health risk.