Use the AlphaGUARD system to measure radon concentrations in some sites in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq
摘要
The present study aimed to assess indoor and outdoor Radon-222 activity concentrations and associated radiological hazard parameters across 48 locations in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq. Measurements were conducted using the AlphaGUARD system is a high sensitivity, portable ionization chamber-based radon monitor capable of operating in diffusion and continuous flow modes under varying environmental conditions. Indoor 222Rn concentrations ranged from 3 ± 0.2 to 71 ± 3.6 Bq·m−3 with mean equal 14.3 ± 1.9 Bq m−3, while outdoor levels ranged from 1 ± 0.05 to 19 ± 0.9 Bq·m−3 with mean equal 9.7 ± 0.4 Bq m−3. Although all indoor values remained well below the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended upper limit of 100 Bq m−3 several outdoor measurements exceeded theWHO-recommended safe limit of 10 Bq m−3. Radiological hazard indices were also evaluated the potential alpha energy (PAE) ranged from 0.32 to 7.68 mWL, annual effective dose (AED) ranged from 0.08 to 1.79 mSv y⁻¹ indoors and 0.01 to 0.18 mSv y⁻¹ outdoors. The annual equivalent dose (HE) averaged 0.26 mSv y⁻¹, excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was 0.99, and lung cancer cases per million persons per year (CPPP) averaged 1.93 × 10−6. All these radiological indicators remained within the global safety limits recommended by WHO and ICRP. Statistical analysis, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson correlation, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA), revealed strong correlations between indoor radon and hazard parameters. These findings provide essential baseline data for public health policy, risk mitigation, and environmental monitoring. While most sites demonstrated compliance with global safety criteria, outdoor radon levels at some locations suggest the need for continuous monitoring and possible mitigation in areas exceeding the outdoor reference level.