Assessment of the Natural Radioactivity and Concentrations of Some Heavy Elements in the Dust of Some Schools in Karbala, Iraq

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Ministry of Education , General Directorate of Education in Karbala, 56001 Karbala, Iraq

2 Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Kerbala, 56001 Kerbala, Iraq

3 Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Kerbala, 56001 Karbala, Iraq

Abstract

Introduction: This study covered the assessment of the natural radioactivity levels and heavy metalsconcentration in dust samples collected from selected schools in the holy Governorate of Karbala. The purpose of thisstudy was to assess the radiological health and safety impact of dust pollution on the children going to school.
Material and Methods: Sodium Iodide system (NaI [TI])from BICRON and the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer from SHIMADZU were used to measure the natural radioactivity in terms of 238U, 232Th, and 40K, as well as the concentrations of some heavy metals in the dust samples.
Results: The specific activity of 238U, Th232, and 40K in dust samples were 5.59± 0.1679 to 71.91±1.6561 Bq/kg, 1.36±0.0963 to 43.35±1.0434 Bq/kg, 66.94±1.638 to 417.91±13.721 Bq/kg, respectively. The external and internal hazard indices were 0.047 ± 0.001 to 0.449±0.011 and 0.062±0.00169 to 0.643±0.01583   respectively. The absorbeddose rate and radium equivalent values ranged from 8.21±0.215 to 76.83±1.968nGy/h and 17.45±0.458to 166.08±4.205 Bq/kg, respectively. The concentration of lead was within the range of 8.839-2.689 mg kg-1 and the concentration of Cd ranged from 0.141 mg kg-1 to less than the lower limit of detection of the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.
Conclusion: The absorbed dose rate, effective dose (indoor and outdoor), hazard indices, and radium equivalent values were within the range of values indicated in the UNSCEAR 2008 report. The levels of lead and cadmium concentration detected in some schools were due to dust pollution in the Schools environment.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. References

     

    1. WHO. Air Quality, 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution.GENEVA. 2014.
    2. Ghorbanipour M, Hosseini Alhashemi A, Gharloghi S, Adeli M, Gholami M.Health Risk Assessment of Natural Background Radiation in Residents of Khorramabad, Iran. Iran J Med Phys. 2017; 14(1):23-8.
    3. Al-Khashman O, Shawabkeh R. Metal distribution in soils around the cement factory in southern Jordan. Environmental Pollution. 2006; 140(3): 387-94.
    4. Grigalaviciene, I., Rutkoviene, V. and Marozas, V. The accumulation of heavy metals Pb, Cu and Cd at roadside forest soil. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 2005;14: 109-15
    5. Hassanvand H, Hassanvand MS, Birjandi M, Kamarehie B, Jafari A. Indoor Radon Measurement in Dwellings of Khorramabad City, Iran. Iran J Med Phys. 2018; 15(1):19-27. DOI: 10.22038/ijmp.2017.24851.1252.
    6. S. C. Santra. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. 2nd Ed. New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd: LONDON 2005.
    7. Higgs F.J, H.W. Mielke and M. Brisco. Soil lead at elementary public schools: Comparison between schools properties and residential neighborhoods of New Orleans.  Environmental Geochemistry and Health.1997; 21: 27-36.
    8. EPA. Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual (MARLAP) Part II:  Chapters 10 - 17 Appendix F (Volume II) with attachment 14A Radioactive Decay and Equilibrium (United State). 2004.
    9. Harrison RM,Perry RH. Hand Book of Air Pollution Analysis, 2nd edn. London, New York, Chapman and Hall. 1986.
    10. Apriantoro NH, Ramli AT, Sutisna. Activity Concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K Based on Soil Types in Perak State. Malaysia. Earth Science Research. 2013; 2(2): 122-5.
    11. Al-Taher A, Makhluf S. Natural radioactivity levels in phosphate fertilizer and its environmental implications in Assuit governorate, Upper Egypt. Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Physics. 2010; 48(10):697-702.
    12. Mahur AK, Kumar R, Mishra M, Ali SA, Sonkawade RG, Singh BP, et al. Study of radon exhalation rate and natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from East Singhbhum Shear Zone in Jaduguda U - Mines Area, lharkhand, India and its radiological implications.  Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Physics. 2010; 48(7):486-92.
    13. Lotfalinezhad P, Kashian S, Saleh Kotahi M, Fathivand A. Estimation of natural radioactivity and radiation exposure in environmental soil samples of Golestan, Iran. Iran J Med Phys. 2017; 14(2): 98-103. DOI: 10.22038/ijmp.2017.20549.1196.
    14. Hussain HH, Hussain RO, Yousef RM., Shamkhi Q. Natural radioactivity of some local building materials in the middle Euphrates of Iraq. Radio analytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 2010; 284:43–7.
    15. Joga S, Harmanjit S, Surinder S, Bajwa  BS, Sonkawade  RG. Comparative study of natural radioactivity levels in soil samples from the Upper Siwaliks and Punjab, India using gamma-ray spectrometry. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2009; 100 (2): 94–8.
    16. UNSCEAR. Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. In: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. United Nations Publication, New York, USA. 2008.
    17. Wright NJ, Thacher TD, Pfitzner MA, Fischer PR, Pettifor JM. Causes of lead toxicity in a Nigerian city. Arch Dis. Child. 2005; 90: 262 6.
    18. Charlesworth S, Everett M, McCarthy R, Ordonez A, de Miguel EA comparative study of heavy metal concentration and distribution in deposited street dusts in a large and a small urban area: Birmingham and Coventry, West Midlands, UK. Environment International. 2003; 29(5): 563-73.

     

     

     

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
July and August 2019
Pages 280-284

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2018
  • Revise Date: 16 November 2018
  • Accept Date: 19 November 2018

Share

How to cite

Statistics