R Radiological Risk Assessment Of 222 Radon Concentration And Annual Effective Dose Calculation In Groundwater From Zakho, Iraq

Abstract

Radon, the heaviest of noble gases in the periodic table, is a naturally occurring radioactive nuclide found in rocks, soil, and water. It has gained increasing attention in recent research due to its association with cancer. This study focused on assessing the potential radioactive risks associated with water usage in Zakho, Iraq, by analyzing 16 groundwater samples collected from the primary water source. Alpha spectrometry with RAD7 and RAD-H2O accessories from Durridge CO was employed for assay purposes. The measured 222Rn concentrations ranged from 0.21 ± 0.1 to 19.75 ± 4.8 BqL−1, with an average of 8.90 Bq. −1. The recorded values indicate that 31% of the data surpasses the specified United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 11.1 BqL−1. Notably, the evaluation of the total annual effective dose revealed significant age-related variations. Specifically, 62% of infant samples and 68% of children samples exceeded the acceptable limit of 100 μSv/y, while 25% of adult samples surpassed the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended threshold. The obtained data align with similar studies conducted globally, emphasizing the need for continuous radon monitoring during water consumption. The findings advocate for proactive measures to ensure the safety of these water sources, addressing the pressing concern of radon-related health risks.