Radon Concentrations in the Environments of Some Primary Schools in Khidir City, Al-Muthanna Province, Iraq

Abstract

Indoor radon concentrations in 13 primary schools were conducted in Khidir City, Muthanna Province, Iraq, using LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detector type II. The study aims to estimate indoor radon levels in the internal environment of the classrooms for three months (from 1st September to 30th November 2023). Radon concentrations were varied from (0.1 Bq/m3) to (14.13 Bq/m3), with a mean value of (5.61 Bq/m3). The investigated levels were lower than the permissible limits referenced by UNSCEAR and WHO. Moreover, the annual effective dose (AED) has been calculated due to inhalation, which varied from the value of (0.029352 mSv/yr) to the value of (0.081145 mSv/yr), with a mean value of (0.016205 mSv/yr). AED values obtained were found to be lower than the allowed value of (0.1 mSv/yr) reported by UNSCEAR and much lower than the permissible limit (1 mSv/yr) proposed by WHO. However, the results obtained indicate that the indoor radon concentrations were significantly affected by the floor level of the classroom (negatively correlated) and the school building age (positively correlated). Consequently, all results have revealed that the radon concentrations and the associated inhalation radon dose does not pose any kind of health hazard to the occupational stuff and students.