Investigating Indoor Radon Levels and Influencing Factors in Primary Schools of Zulfi City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Measurement of indoor Concentrations were performed in Zulfi city of Saudi Arabia, using CR-39 track etch detectors .This investigation focused on the influence of different parameters, namely different locations, school categories, school building types, and room type as well as on the existence of differences in radon concentration at floor levels. We divided the Zulfi city into five regions, keeping in mind their geographical locations between Tuwaiq Mountains and Al-Thuwayrat sands. The measured average radon concentrations for regions 1-5 respectively are: 87.0 ± 14.2 Bq/m 3 , 83.4 ± 6.0 Bq/m 3 , 61.6 ± 6.4 Bq/m 3 , 63.7 ± 5.4 Bq/m 3 and 87.5 ± 6. Bq/m 3 and the minimum concentrations are 28.0 Bq/m 3 , 5.5 Bq/m 3 , 1.1 Bq/m 3 , 1.0 Bq/m 3 and 24 Bq/m 3 respectively. These results are still within normal limits and below the action level of 148 Bqm -3 set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A test of significance using Minitab program was applied to investigate if radon levels in regions are significantly different from each other. We tried all combinations, and found the following results. The "within regions" (different location) test yielded, region 2 is not significant versus region" 1" (p=0.783) and versus region "5" (P=0.646) , whereas it is significant versus region "3" ( P=0.0160) and also versus region "4" (p=0.018). We investigated government and rented school's building also and none was found significantly different (p=0.052). Floors of the same building were tested in order to examine the radon concentration as a function of storey level. No significant difference was observed at floor levels (p=0.009). When girl's schools versus Boys and kindergartens schools were tested they were found significantly different. It is believed that this significant difference is due to geographical nature of the area, since most of the girl's schools were selected from regions 2 and 3, these regions are relatively close to the Tuwaiq mountains whereas other regions are near to the Al-Thuwayrat sands.

Children’s Exposure to Radon in Nursery and Primary Schools

“…Indoor mean radon concentrations reported in recent literature for nursery schools from Italy [ 24 ], Bulgaria [ 26 ], Slovenia [ 25 ] and Czech Republic [ 27 ] were usually higher than those found in the present study, in both school microenvironments in the Porto and Bragança districts, which in turn were higher than those found in nursery schools from Saudi Arabia [ 22 ] and Poland [ 10 ].…”

“…Considering the latter and as far as the authors’ knowledge goes, in the last five years 19 studies regarding radon in indoor air of nursery and primary schools can be found. The majority of them were only focused on primary schools [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], while others also considered nursery schools [ 10 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] and some others only considered nursery schools [ 27 , 28 ]. The extent of the studies varied considerably from study to study.…”

Students’ perception, attitudes, and readiness toward online learning in dental education in Saudi Arabia: a cohort study

“…Social influence is a hidden factor behind the users’ attitudes toward and use of technology. 4 , 13 The social influence on online tool use in the current study was found to be acceptable and not too high, as reported by the participants at all levels.…”

“…The top-down implementation from the administrative level down to the user level was reported to be an important and more sustainable strategic movement. 1 , 4 , 13 , 16 , 18 …”

“…The skills enhancement and development program for educators and learners to use the technology in education is an important factor for the success of e-learning. 4 , 13 , 16 , 18 , 19 The technical support most demanded by the participants at all levels in the current study concerned how to use online tools in education and time management. The internship group also reported support needs centering on how to design online content.…”