Measurements and mapping of natural radioactivity in the city of najaf, Al-Najaf governorate (Iraq), by using track detector Cr-39 and geographical information system (GIS)

• Main Authors: Alasadi, Lubna A., Abojassim, Ali Abid, Guida, Michele, Mancini, Simona
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exhalation; Geographic information systems; Health hazards; Mapping; Natural radioactivity; Radium; Radon; Soil gas
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0195421

The health hazard related to the long-term exposure to high levels of radioactive gas radon is well known. Since the soil constitutes the main source, the characterization of soil gas radon in an environment, based on superficial geology, is a useful tool for determining areas more susceptible to high levels. Main objective of this study is the first preliminary characterization of the level and distribution of radon (²²²Rn) concentrations in soil-gas in the city of Najaf (Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq) and the preliminary assessment of the possible radiological risk for the population. So, 60 soil samples, spatially distributed, from the area of Najaf city, Iraq, were analyzed by means of Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD), commercially known as CR-39. Also, Radium and Uranium concentrations, annual effective dose, mass exhalation rate, surface exhalation rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk related to exposure to radon gas were calculated. The results show that the average values are comparable to the global average ones and under the international safer thresholds. Also, the distribution of the results was mapped by using the GIS (ArcGIS 10.7.1.) technique in order to put the basis for a more extensive study aimed at the geogenic mapping of the area and characterization of the natural radioactive content in other environmental matrices.