Gamma radiation and indoor radon concentrations in the western and southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The exposure of the population to natural gamma radiation in air and to indoor radon gas was investigated in Makkah, AlBaha, Assir, Jazan and Najran regions in the western and southwestern of Saudi Arabia. The survey was performed by using LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) for indoor and outdoor absorbed dose rates in air measurements in 885 locations, and a passive integrating ionizing system, equipped with an E-Perm Electret ion chamber, for radon concentration measurements in a total of 1119 dwellings. The ambient indoor rates vary from 54 to 191 nSv h−1, while it is in the range of 42–112 nSv h−1 for the outdoor. The indoor and outdoor rates of the directional dose equivalent ranged from 56 to 185 nSv h−1 and from 43 to 135 nSv h−1, respectively. Makkah region showed the highest mean indoor ambient and directional rates, whereas Assir region showed the highest mean outdoor rates. The indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates were significantly correlated. On the other hand, the indoor radon concentrations ranged from 11 to 137 Bq m−3 with an overall mean of 32 Bq m−3 for all investigated houses. The overall annual mean effective dose rate from radon and its decay progenies was estimated to be 0.76 mSv y−1, which yields an excess lifetime cancer risk of around 2.3 × 10−3.

Indoor radon levels, influencing factors and annual effective doses in dwellings of Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia

“…On the other hand, the present results showed that the measured concentration values of 222 Rn in Al-Kharj city are compatible with those measured in some other countries. Also, our result (19.23 Bq/m 3 ) is in a consistent with the other studies in Saudi Arabia (Abuelhia, 2017;Alenezy, 2014;Alghamdi & Aleissa, 2014;Alghamdi, Aleissa, & Al-Hamarneh, 2019;El-Taher et al, 2013;Mona, Al-Jarallah, & Rehman, 2005). It is observed that no average radon concentration is above the action levels that are recommended by ICRP (ICRP, 2010).…”

Assessment of indoor radon concentration and time-series analysis of gamma dose rate in three thermal spas from Portugal

“…Epidemiological studies have clearly shown that long-term exposure to high radon concentrations in indoor air increases the risk of lung cancer (WHO, 2009 ). Radon exposure is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco and one of the leading causes of lung cancer in non-smokers (Alali et al, 2019 ; Alghamdi et al, 2019 ; Allab, 2019 ; Berens et al, 2017 ; Robertson et al, 2013 ; Vukotic et al, 2019 ).…”

Outdoor and indoor natural background gamma radiation across Kerala, India

“…The variation in factors like altitudes (mid, low and highlands), soil and rock characteristics, meteorological conditions and the ventilation rates among different sampling locations must have influenced the differences observed in the indoor gamma dose. 29 Most of the houses monitored recorded a high indoor gamma dose when compared to outdoor gamma dose. The houses monitored were mainly constructed using cement and bricks/cement and cut stones (laterite).…”

“…This type of mixed roong was observed in relatively old houses that had undergone renovation. The synergistic effect from the presence of the radionuclides within the building materials and insufficient ventilation must have elevated the indoor gamma dose levels 29 2013). Insufficient ventilation prevailed in these (Palod, Thonackal, Thumpamon and Chavara) houses.…”