Radon gas determination and radiological risk in Shatt Al Arab - Al-Basra governorate, Iraq

Abstract

This research focuses on measuring the concentrations of radioactive radon gas (222Rn) in water samples that collected from different places in Shatt Al-Arab, the first confluence in Qurna, to the second confluence in Karma Ali, Basra Governorate, using RAD-7 (RAD-7 H2O) detector. Also, annual effective dose (AED) and lifetime cancer risk due to ingestion of 222Rn in samples of present study as drinking water were evaluated. The results show that, 222Rn concentration were ranged from (0.0 to 0.408) with an average 0.183 Bq/L. Also, the range of AED were changed from 0 μSv/y to 1.04 μSv/y, with an average 0.46 μSv/y. While lifetime cancer risk (×10-4) were ranged from 0 to 0.0157, with an average 0.007. Accordingly, 222Rn concentrations in samples of present study was within the permissible limit according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the maximum concentration of radon in the water reached (11.1) Bq/L . Also, the values of AED and lifetime cancer risk in all samples were found lower than the safety limit for the healthy drinking water. So, it may be concluded that water in Shatt Al-Arab in the Basra governorate- Iraq have not environmental impacts For Radioactive Radon Gas on the health of human.