222Rn Concentration of Soils at Selected Locations in Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus

Abstract

This study was determined the influence of radiation and non-radiation work activities over 222 Rn concentration levels in soil at selected areas in Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus. Radon Sentinel 1030 monitor was used to determine 222 Rn concentrations emanated from soil collected at Radiology Department and Nuclear Medicine Department (red areas), hospital lobby, hostel and Registry Department (public areas) and isolated area. Each reading was recorded within 30 min time intervals in a close perspex room for 5 cocecutive days to obtaine average 222 Rn concentrations reading. The results show the Radiology Department and hostel have obtained least amount of 222 Rn concentrations, which were 0.287 pCi/L and 0.246 pCi/L. Concentration of 222 Rn at Nuclear Medicine Department was 0.304 pCi/L, whereas 0.289 pCi/L in isolated area. Insignificant reading at Radiology and Nuclear Departments prove the proper application of radiation protection principle has been applied such as half value layer rule for wall thickness. Meanwhile, Registry Department and hospital building (public area) showed the highest concentration of 222 Rn which were 0.561 pCi/L and 0.462 pCi/L due to the natural environmental radiations that are mainly depending on geographical conditions, as the random properties of 222 Rn emanations cannot be controlled.

Soil gas radon and soil permeability assessment: Mapping radon risk areas in Perak State, Malaysia

“…A few localized studies of radon in soil gas concentration have been conducted in different parts of Malaysia [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33], their results ranged from 0.13 to 375.42 kBq m −3 . According to the existing literature, the data of Malaysian studies on radon concentration in soil has not yet been fully determined despite its apparent health risk [34].…”