Page 132 - AJWEP-v22i2

AL-Sudani, et al.

is not uniform and varies according to the types of rocks the Misan, between latitudes 32°4´0˝and 32°16′0˝N and
from which they originate. Natural radiation accounts longitudes 46°44´0˝and 46°52´0˝E. The city covers an
2-4
for roughly 87% of human radiation exposure, with the area of 1,513 km and had a population of 30,000, as of
2
remaining exposure stemming from artificial sources. 2014. Kumait, located in the northwestern part of Misan
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It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the radiation province, lies between latitudes 31°56´00˝ and 32°4′0˝N
risks posed by both natural and artificial radioactive and longitudes 46°44´0˝and 46°56´0˝E. It has an area of
sources. For example, radon gas and its decay products 1,554 km , with a population of 46,000 as of 2014.
2
in soil, sediment, and building materials can lead to
internal radiation exposure that harms the respiratory 2.2. Collection and preparation of samples
system. Long-term exposure to both uranium and A total of 47 soil samples were collected (24 samples from
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radium through inhalation can cause many health effects, Ali Al-Sharqi and 23 samples from Kumait). Each sample
including bone, cranial, and nasal tumors, due to radium was collected from a 0 to 5 cm depth of the soil’s surface
exposure. On the other hand, exposure to thorium may at a predetermined location, as shown in Figure 1. The
lead to leukemia and hepatic, pancreatic, lung, skeletal, location coordinates were determined using an eTrex Vista
and kidney cancers. Consequently, quantitative HCX Global Positioning System with part number 20233
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information on the distribution of radioactive materials (Garmin, United States), as listed in Tables 1 and 2 and
in various parts of the world is essential for protecting shown in Figures 2 and 3. The collected soil samples were
human life from radiation exposure. Numerous studies placed in clean zip-lock bags, each labeled with a distinct
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have been conducted worldwide to measure the levels of code for identification. The samples were then transported
radionuclides in soil specimens and the radiation risks to the lab for preparation. The samples were thoroughly
in Amman, Aqaba (Jordan), Rize (Turkey), Upper mixed and sieved through a 75-µm mesh (200 mm ×
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Egypt, southwest of Nigeria, North Lebanon, Sicily 50 mm) with the part number 60132000075 and serial
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(Italy), Port Said (Egypt), Tongliao (China), Pshdar number 03008399 (Retsch, Germany). The sieved
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(Iraqi-Kurdistan), Shabwah and Hadramout (Yemen), samples were dried in a Herfy-28L electric oven (Denik
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Wassit (Iraq) Kirkuk (Iraq), Mounana (Gabon), Company, Korea) at 80°C for 2 h to eliminate moisture
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Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Kuwait, North Waziristan from the soil, followed by weighing. The samples were
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(Pakistan) ; and (Taghdoua) Saudi Arabia. However, transferred into 500 mL Marinelli polyethylene beakers
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the level of radioactivity in the cities of Ali Al-Sharqi (GA-MA, United States), sealed with plastic tape to avoid
and Kumait is unknown. This study is crucial as it aims the leakage of airborne radionuclides, and left to rest
to assess the radiation exposure levels in these cities. for 4 weeks. This waiting period allowed the daughter
By measuring activity concentrations of radionuclides products to reach radioactive secular equilibrium with
(radium-226 [ Ra], Th, and K) in soil samples of their parent isotopes ( Ra and radon-222) before being
232
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226
226
Ali Al-Sharqi and Kumait cities using a high-purity analyzed using a gamma spectrometer. 26
germanium (HPGe) detector, the radiological hazard
parameters were evaluated. These include radium 2.3. Analyzing samples and assessment of activity
equivalent activity (Ra ), internal and external hazard concentrations
eq
indices (H and H ), gamma level index (Iγ), absorbed The naturally occurring radionuclides in the soils were
in
ex
gamma dose rates (D , D , and D ), annual effective measured utilizing a gamma spectrometer system
out
in
tot
dose equivalents (AEDE , AEDE , and AEDE ),
out
in
tot
excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCR , ELCR , and
out
in
ELCR ), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE).
tot
The results of this study will provide baseline data
for Ali Al-Sharqi and Kumait, which can serve as a
foundation for future research in the region.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. The study area
The study area included the cities of Ali Al-Sharqi and
Kumait, located in Misan province, Iraq. Ali Al-Sharqi
is situated in the northeastern and northwestern parts of Figure 1. Soil samples collection
Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 126 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025060032