Indoor radon levels in apartments of Erbil city by using long and short term techniques

Abstract

Inhalation of radon (222Rn) and daughter products are a major source of natural radiation exposure. Measurement of indoor radon concentrations were performed in the two hundred rooms for the 25 apartments in Erbil city by using long term technique (CR-39 SSNTDs) for 90 days exposure time and short term technique (radon monitor) for 2 hours exposure time. The higher value of average indoor radon concentration for long and short term techniques was found in Office rooms 56.72±14.72 Bq/m3 and 48.64±12.52 Bq/m3, respectively and lower value was found in Drawing rooms 42.11±10.82 Bq/m3 and 34.45±8.66 Bq/m3, respectively. The mean annual estimated effective dose was received by the residents of the studied area was 1.14 mSv. The highest indoor radon concentrations was found in ground floor for all apartment comport with the first, second and third floors. The rate indoor radon concentration in different type rooms depended of the ventilation rate and the age of the building.