Measurement of radon and radium concentrations in different types of water samples in Al-Hindiyah city of Karbala Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

The largest fraction of the natural radiation exposure we receive comes from a radioactivegas, radon and its decay products (nearly 50%). The radon gas can enter to the body viarespiring, drinking and eating and caused damage to respiratory and digestion systems. Alsoradium-226 is widely distributed in the environment. When a person ingests radium, thiselement deposits in bones and cause to bone cancer. In this study radon and radiumconcentrations of the 25 water samples of of Al-Hindiyah city of Karbala governorate inmiddle of Iraq have been measured by CR-39 detectors. Total samples including 13 samplesof tap water(T.W), 6 samples of ground water(G.W) and 6 samples of drill wells water(D.W)has been tested. All samples of tap water have radon concentration lower than 11.1 Bq/L asnormal level. Also, 226Ra alone, in all samples have concentration lower than 0.555 Bq/L asnormal level for gross alpha.All samples of drill wells water had radon concentrations higher than 11.1 Bq/L as normallevel, while the results showed that radium concentrations were ranging between (0.527-0.644)Bq/L with mean value 0.586 Bq/L, this value higher than 0.555 Bq/L as normal levelfor gross alpha.The maximum concentration of radon in ground water samples was found to be 13.573 Bq/Land the minimum was 9.169Bq/L with mean value 11.790Bq/L, this value higher than 11.1Bq/L as normal level. Also, the results showed that radium concentrations were rangingbetween (0.340-0.540)Bq/L with mean value 0.437 Bq/L, this value is lower than 0.555 Bq/Las normal level for gross alpha.For improvement of the social health level, it is essential that to reduce the radon and radiumconcentrations in the drinking water before using by people.