Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Rn- 222 Concentration and Gamma Dose Rate Measurements in the Vicinity of Hot Springs in Kerman Province, Southeastern, Iran.

Document Type : Conference Proceedings

Authors
Vahid Doostmohammadi 1
Parinaz Mehnati 2
Ali Jomehzadeh 3
1 Department of Medical Physics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Medical Radiation Sciences Research Team, Department of Medical Physics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3 Department of Medical Physics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
10.22038/ijmp.2018.13033
Abstract
Introduction: Radon-222 gas is a radioactive, colorless and odorless element that can cause lung cancer and stomach in humans with alpha-ray emissions. An important source of Radon-222 is the output water in springs, especially hot springs to emit ionision radiation. In this study, Rn-222 activity concentration and gamma dose rate levels in water sample of some selected hot springs were measured.
Method: The activity concentration of Rn-222 in water samples and gamma dose rates were measured using RAD7 radon monitoring system (a solid-state detector) of Durridge company Inc, USA and RDS-110 multi-purpose survey meter respectively from five randomly selected hot springs. The RAD7 detector has a glass bottle of 250 ml capacity for measurement Rn-222 concentration via bubble making process.
Results: In water samples taken from the orifice of Shirinak, Rang, Khodadadi, Amiriyeh and Joshan hot springs, the specific Rn-222 concentrations were 4.74±0.65, 7.46±1.27, 8.96±1.20, 15.70±2.17 and 56.10±5.68 BqLit-1, respectively. Also, the average absorbed dose rates in vicinity of hot springs varied from 80±14 nSvh-1 to 188±31 nSvh-1.
Conclusion: We concluded, radon concentration activities were in the range of the US Environmental Protection Agency reference limit and gamma dose rate level was less than recommended by USCEAR, as well. Hence, there is no need radiation protection for people who used the selected hot springs.
Keywords
Rn-222
Hot Gamma Dose Radioactive Spring
Rate

  • Receive Date 21 May 2018
  • Revise Date 13 May 2019
  • Accept Date 06 July 2018