https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06764-5
Regular Article
Investigation of radon concentration and the related radiation hazard indices in the heritage building, southern Iraq
1
Department of Basic Science, College of Dentistry, Al-Muthanna University, Samawa, Iraq
2
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, PO box 70010, Baghdad, Iraq
3
Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
a
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Received:
21
May
2025
Accepted:
15
August
2025
Published online:
23
August
2025
Radon, the second most common cause of lung cancer following smoking, underscores the importance of tracking its levels in enclosed environments. This study aimed to assess radon concentrations and radiation hazard indices in the historic Heritage Building in southern Iraq, a site of unique ancient architecture visited daily by employees and guests. The concentration of radon gas was assessed using CR-39 detectors in the internal building. The results revealed that the radon concentration ranged from 17804.64 ± 1865.15 to 494573.24 ± 0.00 Bq/m3 with an average value of 80717.11 ± 4800.31 Bq/m3 in the different building locations. The mean values recorded were 34.17 ± 2.03 Bq/m2 h for radon exhalation rate, 2545.49 ± 151.38 mSv/y for annual effective dose, and 359.72 ± 21.39 WLM/y for effective working level months. It was found that the skin received the highest radon dose (8.12E-02 mSv/y), whereas the kidneys, brain, muscles, and uterus received the least value (2.27E-03 mSv/y). The findings showed that radon levels were notably above the internationally recommended limits. This emphasizes the critical need for immediate action to reduce radon accumulation and mitigate the related health hazards.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
