Measurement of Radon Gas Concentrations in Tap Water for Baghdad Governorate by Using Nuclear Track Detector (CR-39)

Abstract

In the present work, we have measured the radon gas concentrations in tap water samples for selected regions (some of them were measured for the first time as far as authors know) in Baghdad governorate by using alpha-emitters registrations which are emitted from radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The results of measurements have shown that the highest average radon gas concentration in tap water samples was found in B16 (AL-Zafraniya) region, which was equal to (0.190±0.01 Bq/L), while the lowest average radon gas concentration was found in B20 (AL-Karada) region, which was equal to (0.073±0.01 Bq/L), with an average value of (0.135±0.03 Bq/L). The highest value of annual effective dose in tap water samples was found in B16 region, which was equal to (0.694 μSv/y), while the lowest value of annual effective dose was found in B20 region, which was equal t (0.267 μSv/y), with an average value of (0.493±0.12 μSv/y). The present results have shown that radon gas concentrations in tap water samples were less than the recommended value (11.1 Bq/L) given by (USEPA,2012). There for tap water in all the studied sites in Baghdad Governorate is safe as for as radon concentration is concerned.