Measurement of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) concentration of plants (Vegetables) in different locations in Sulaimania City using CR-39 detector

Abstract

Introduction: Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normaldecay of uranium in rocks and soil depending on local geology. Radioactive decay of uranium through radium produces radon. Materials and Methods: In the present work, seventeen plant (vegetables) samples collected from Sulaimania Governorate. The plants have been analyzed and examined to measure the level of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) using plastic track detector (CR-39) for evaluation of radon and thoron concentration in this region. Results and Discussion: The results indicated that the higher andlower radon concentration have been found in Halabjay-con, and inSulaimani-center, to be (119.72 Bq.m-3, 3.236 pCi/L), (54.36 Bq.m-3,1.469 pCi/L), respectively, and the higher and lower thoron concentration have been found in Qaladza and in Sulaimani-center, to be (733.66 Bq.m-3, 19.828 pCi/L), (227.33 Bq.m-3, 9.117 pCi/L), respectively. Radiation level compared with the standard level known by the EPA (4 pCi/L) and190 Bqm-3. The concentration of radon in all sample plants is less than international standard level 4(pCi/L)and190 (Bqm-3), therefore the human in safety. The average effective dose equivalent (EDE) of radon from plants determined was (7.2) μSv.y-1 for all the samples. This is lower than the normal value of (1.3) mSv.y-1 given by EPA. Conclusions: This study showed that the contamination in the plant (vegetables) is normal and is not considered a great radial dose for plants and consequently for humans.

Assessment of radon concentration of vegetables and fruits in local markets in Muang Nakhon Phanom Municipality, Thailand

“…Radon concentration, activity of radon, specific of radon and effective dose equivalent from each vegetable and fruit samples are showed in tables 1 and 2 Tables 1 and 2 show the results of the radon concentration from each vegetable and fruit samples varied from 6.27 to 45.11 Bq/m 3 with an average of 21.32±2.36 Bq/m 3 and varied from 12.11 to 53.19 Bq/m 3 with an average of 27.47±2.81 Bq/m 3 , successive. The measurement results of radon concentration from each vegetable and fruit sample were less than the action level of 190 Bq/m 3 , as advised by EPA [4]. Calculation of effective dose equivalent from the resultant of the radon concentration was found that valuable from 0.042 to 0.138 µSv/y with an average of 0.03±0.007 µSv/y and Valuable from 0.008 to 0.137 µSv/y with an average of 0.045±0.008 µSv/y, respectively.…”

“…Calculation of effective dose equivalent from the resultant of the radon concentration was found that valuable from 0.042 to 0.138 µSv/y with an average of 0.03±0.007 µSv/y and Valuable from 0.008 to 0.137 µSv/y with an average of 0.045±0.008 µSv/y, respectively. The effective dose equivalent for the consumption of vegetables and fruits in the mentioned locations for people is less than that suggested by EPA is 1.3 mSv/y [4,14].…”

“…The values of activity and specific activity of radon in samples were calculated by equations ( 1) and ( 2), respectively, the results are shown in table 1 [2,4,9,10].…”

“…(3) Where: EDE= The effective dose equivalent ( µ Sv/y) , I= the rate of individual food consumption for vegetables and fruits is 90 kg/y, and F= Dose Conversion Factor of 226 Ra in vegetables and fruits is 1.25 × 10 -7 Sv/Bq [4,11,12,13].…”

“…Radon is a radioactive inert gas and has T1/2 of 3.825 days, which can garner in environments, such as rocks, soil, water, and plants [1][2][3]. However, provided radioactive garner in a human body at an altitude overdose rate recommended by EPA (The standard radon concentration level of 190 Bq/m 3 and standard annual effective dose equivalent of 1.3 mSv/y) [4], it will affect your health this can incur cancer in a variety of organs namely lungs, stomach, breast, kidneys, and endocrine system [3,5]. In particular, human consumption of fruits and vegetables does not know how much radon is present and how it affects long-term health.…”