Measurements of radon gas concentrations in dwellings of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah province in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Indoor radon concentration levels in a large number of dwellings in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Province have been measured. Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah is in the western region of Saudi Arabia. It is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, because it is the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The city was divided into four regions: western (contains nine sites), eastern (contains six sites), northern (contains nine sites) and southern (contains five sites). Radon gas concentration was measured using the closed chamber technique employing 2×2 cm(2) sheets of CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors. The detectors were kept for a period of 5 to 6 months from September 2010 to February 2011 in order to expose to radon gas. The results of the survey in the western and eastern sites showed that the overall minimum, maximum and average radon concentration levels were 20±1.6, 27±3.2 and 21±2.5 Bq m(-3), respectively. The lowest average radon concentration (20±1.6 Bq m(-3)) was found in Al Anabes and Al Suqya in the western region and Bani Dhafar in the eastern region, while the highest average concentration (27±3.2 Bq m(-3)) was found in Teeyba in the western region and Al 'Aridh in the eastern region, with an average of 21±2.5 Bq m(-3) in the western and eastern sites of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. Also in the northern region, the minimum radon concentration was 20±1.6 Bq m(-3) in Oyun, while the maximum was 42±1.6 Bq m(-3) in Sayyed al Shuhadd and Hai Nasr. In the southern region, the minimum radon concentration was 25±2.6 Bq m(-3) at Hai Al Hejrah, while the maximum value was 37±2.6 Bq m(-3) at Al Awali and Dawadia. The average radon concentration was 26±2.5 Bq m(-3) for Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah (western, eastern, northern and southern regions). The corresponding annual effective dose E (mSv y(-1)) to public from (222)Rn and its progeny was estimated to be 0.66 mSv y(-1) as an average value for Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. The authors concluded that all the dwellings monitored for indoor radon concentration and annual effective dose show values within the permissible level and this is a blessing from God that this area, which many visitors come from all over the world (to visit the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad), is safe. Consequently, the health hazards related to radiation are expected to be negligible. Occupants of these dwellings are relatively safe.