Contribution of uranium to gross alpha radioactivity in some environmental samples in Kuwait

• Published in: Environment international 1995-01, Vol.21 (3), p.293-298
• Main Authors: Bou-Rabee, Firyal, Bakir, Yousif, Bem, Henryk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Global environmental pollution; Pollution
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/0160-4120(95)00022-D

This study was done in connection with the use of uranium-tipped antitank shells during the Gulf War and possible contamination of the environment of Kuwait. It was found that uranium concentrations in the soil samples ranged from 0.3 μg/g to 1.85 μg/g. The average value of 0.7 μg/g was lower than the world average value of 2.1 μg/g for surface soils. Its contribution to the total natural alpha radioactivity (excluding Rn and its short-lived daughters) varied from 1.1% to 14%. The solid fall-out samples showed higher uranium concentration which varied from 0.35 μg/g to 1.73 μg/g (average 1.47 μg/g) but its contribution to the gross alpha radioactivity was in the same range, from 1.1 to 13.2%. The difference in the concentration of uranium in suspended air matter samples during the summer of 1993 and the winter of 1994 was found to be 2.0 μg/g and 1.0 μg/g, respectively. The uranium contribution to the natural alpha radioactivity in these samples was in the same range but lower for the winter period. The isotopic ratio of 235U to 238U for the measured samples was basically within an experimental error of ±0.001, close to the theoretical value of 0.007. The calculated total annual intake of uranium via inhalation for the Kuwait population was 0.07 Bq, e.g., 0.2% of the annual limit on intake.