title: Distribution of 222Rn concentration in an inhabited area adjacent to the Aja granitic heights of Hail Province, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Radon-222 has been measured in groundwater, dwellings, and atmosphere of an inhabited area adjacent to the granitic Aja heights of Hail province, Saudi Arabia. The measurements were carried out in the field using a RAD7 instrument. Twenty-eight water samples, collected from drilled wells scattered in the region, were analyzed. Radon-222 concentration ranged from 2.5-95 kBq m(-3) with an average value of about 30.3 kBq m(-3). The higher values were found in wells drawing water from granitic aquifers. Indoor 222Rn was measured in 20 dwellings of rural areas in Hail city and other towns. Concentrations ranged from 12-125.6 Bq m(-3), with an average value of 54.6 Bq m(-3). Outdoor air 222Rn was measured at 16 sites, with values ranging from 6.2-13.3 Bq m(-3), with an average value of 10.5 Bq m(-3). The estimated average effective dose due to inhalation of 222Rn released from water was 0.08 mSv y(-1). The estimated average annual effective dose due to indoor 222Rn was 1.35 mSv, which lies below the effective dose range (3-10 mSv) given as the recommended action level. Based on the average dose rate values, the excess lifetime cancer risk values were estimated as 69.8 × 10(-4) due to indoor radon and 13.4 × 10(-4) due to outdoor radon.
authors.affiliation: *King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Engineering, Nuclear Engineering department, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; †King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Engineering, Radiation Protection & Training Centre, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; ‡King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, P.O. Box 2022 Riyadh11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulraheem Abdulrahman
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kinsara
authors.forename: El-Said Ibrahim
authors.initials: el-SI
authors.lastname: Shabana
authors.forename: Waleed Hussain
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Abulfaraj
authors.forename: Maher Mohammad Taher
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Qutub
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; C007886:granite; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011886:Radon