Seasonal and location dependence of indoor and soil radon concentrations in two villages, Najran region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Seasonal (winter-summer) indoor and soil radon comparison is made in two villages in Najran region, south west of Saudi Arabia, using CR-39 Dosimeter. Summer indoor radon concentrations were measured in the villages of Fara Al-Jabal and Hadadah. The respective winter-summer average values of 42 ± 4 Bq m−3 and 74 ± 5 Bq m−3 are measured in Fara Al-Jable village and the average values of 47 ± 4 Bq m−3 and 76 ± 5 Bq m−3 are measured in Hadadah village. The respective winter-summer soil values are 1.40 ± 0.21 kBq m−3 and 0.99 ± 0.04 kBq m−3 in Fara Al-Jabal village while those measured in Hadadah village are 2.90 ± 0.17 kBq m−3 and 1.40 ± 0.66 kBq m−3. Indoor radon levels are found to be seasonal dependent while that of soil are found seasonal and location dependent. Meteorological and geological factors are expected to have caused the measured significant differences in radon levels in dwellings and soil in the two villages.