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

Abstract

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