Study of Radon Gas Concentration in Shabestar County Dwelling

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radon exposure to residential buildings causes various diseases, including lung cancer. In this research, residential houses in the northwestern region of Iran and its effective factors were investigated. Materials and Method: 50 residential units were selected randomly in GIS bed in Shabestar city of East Azarbaijan Province. For each building unit, two CR-39 dosimeters were installed in the bedroom and catering room at a distance of 90 cm from the floor and away from sunlight and windows. After 3 months of exposure, the detectors were collected and etched in 6.25N NaoH solution for 3 hours at 85 ° C. The radon concentration was calculated using the optical counting machines. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by SPSS and Excel. The variables were normalized with the log-transformation and analyzed using parametric tests such as independent t test and analysis of variance. Results: Mean and standard deviation of radon gas concentrations in Shabestar, Khameneh, Vayghan and Daryan residential buildings were 43.53 ± 26.93, 63.18 ± 83.4, 67.11 ± 50.16 and 63.25± 26.34 Bq/m3 respectively. The minimum and maximum concentrations were also 3.92 and 520.12 Bq / m3, which are more than the EPA standard. Compared to the US Environmental Protection Agency standards, it was found that only 2.2% of residential homes in the studied regions had a radon concentration above the standard (148 Bq/m3). The annual effective dose of radon gas is estimated at 1.54 on the first floor and 1.24 mSv/y on the second floor, which is lower than the ICRP standard. The average concentration of radon gas in residential house 65.51) Bq / m3 (was higher than in apartments (34.22 Bq / m3) and there is a significant difference between the concentration of radon and the type of building.The mean ELCR for indoor exposure in the area was found to be 0.54/100 people that is small as compared with action level of EPA. Conclusion: According to the results, Shabestar is currently not facing a problem with radon, but more studies are needed in some locales where radon levels are higher than standard. Keywords: Radon, CR-39 Detector, Exposure, Building Features, Shabestar County