Practical Study to Assess Radioactive Radon Gas in Groundwater Samples of Dhi-Qar Governorate

Abstract

Abstract This research focuses on measuring the concentrations of radioactive radon gas (222Rn) in groundwater samples that collected from different places in Dhi-Qar Governorate, using RAD-7 (RAD-7 H2O) detector. Also, annual effective dose (AED) and lifetime cancer risk due to ingestion of 222Rn in samples of present study as drinking water were evaluated. The results show that, 222Rn concentration in Bq/L were ranged from 0.032±0.022 to 0.780±0.110, with an average 0.205±0.04. Also, the range of AED were changed from 0.08 µSv/y to 1.99 µSv/y, with an average 0.52±0.10 µSv/y. While lifetime cancer risk (×10-4) were ranged from 0.003 to 0.077, with an average 0.020±0.004. Accordingly, 222Rn concentrations in samples of present study (as groundwater) was within the permissible limit according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the maximum concentration of radon in the water reached (11.1) Bq/L, but 222Rn concentrations for some samples were higher than the permissible limit for drinking water that equal (0.4 Bq/L) according to WHO2008. Also, The values of AED and lifetime cancer risk in all samples were found lower than the safety limit for the healthy drinking water. So, it may be concluded that groundwater in the Dhi-Qar governorate- Iraq have not environmental impacts For Radioactive Radon Gas on the health of human.