Radon concentration and exhalation rate for granitic rocks, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The present work deals with radon pollution arising from granitic rocks using an Alpha Guard radon monitor. Forty-four granitic samples were collected from five sites located in the Central part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The minimum to maximum concentration of radon for the rocks of Gebel (mountain) El-Missikat MS, El-Gidamy GD, RieEl-Garra RG, El-Aradiya AR, and Kab-Amira KA were 49,597 ± 8773 to 236,029 ± 22,397 Bq m−3, 39,658 ± 8341 to 188,666 ± 20,545 Bq m−3, 39,854 ± 7645 to 91,393 ± 13,429 Bq m−3, 45,951 ± 9488 to 121,935 ± 14,869 Bq m−3, and 33,209 ± 6989 to 251,398 ± 25,759 Bq m−3, respectively. The surface and mass exhalation rates, the emanation coefficient, and annual effective dose (indoors) were calculated for all the studied samples. The average value of radon concentration in the collected samples was higher than the national reference level of 300 Bq m−3 recommended by ICRP corresponding to an annual effective dose of 4 mSv at work and 14 mSv at home. The measured values for the rock samples studied in the five sites surpassed the world average of soil in areas with normal levels of radioactivity. The MS granitic samples showed a potential radiological risk for human beings, therefore, it is important to carry out a detailed monitoring program for dose assessment.

Natural Radioactivity Measurements and Radiological Hazards Evaluation for Some Egyptian Granites and Ceramic Tiles

“…where C 1 (=9 nSv per Bq m −3 h), C 2 (=0.8), and C 3 (=0.4) stand for the factors of dose conversion, dwellers' indoor residency, and equilibrium equivalent radon concentration indoors, respectively [6,51].…”

Lithological Impact on Radon Levels: A Study of Indoor and Soil Gas Radon in the Centre Region of Cameroon

“…and soil gas Rn levels due to the presence of varying levels of 238 U and 226 Ra in rocks and soils (Lara et al., 2013, 2015). Granitic and volcanic rocks are identified as the major sources of gas Rn due to their high 238 U content (50%–60%) (Le Roux et al., 2019; Salaheldin et al., 2022; Shawamreh, 2021). Correlations have often been found between Rn levels observed indoors and the underlying soils on which these homes are built (Åkerblom & Mellander, 1997; Neznal et al., 2006).…”