Zanco Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (Nov 2023)
Evaluation of Radon (222Rn) Exhalation Rates from Imported Granite Tiles Used as a Building Materials in Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region -Iraq
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the activity concentration of effective radium content (Raeff), and radon exhalation rates (222Rn) of 21 imported granite samples that are used as building materials in Erbil Governorate. The measurements were carried out using a Rad7 and LR-119 type II plastic track detectors as an active and passive measuring, respectively. The radon activity concentrations for both detection methods were varied from 25.9 ± 6.85 to 427 ± 38.3 Bq.m-3, and from 31.23 ± 5.8 to 433.63 ± 35.2 Bq.m-3with an average value of 99.35 ± 13.84 Bq.m-3 and 103.16 ± 9.46 Bq.m-3, respectively. The effective radium content, radon exhalation rate in terms of surface and mass were calculated using LR-115 technique, and it was found to vary from (0.2 ± 0.04 to 2.94 ± 1.5) Bq.kg-1, (59.07±7.67 to 819.95±28.5) mBq.m-2 h-1, and (1.5±1.1 to 22.23±4.5) mBq.kg-1.h-1 respectively. The results show that some of the granite samples exceeded the radioactively acceptable limit, which means that they may be harmful to the human health.
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