Radon and thoron concentrations of soil samples in Al-Shatrah, Nasiriyah, Iraq

Radon and thoron with short life-time play a large role in contributing to natural radiation. In this research the concentrations of radon and thoron in selected soil samples of Al-Shatrah city, Nasiriyah- Iraq were estimated. Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDS) technique has been used. Results showed that the highest average value of radon concentration is 464.28±63.60 Bq. m−3 and the lower concentration is 108.83±30.91 Bq. m−3 in Al-Thajil and Alhawi respectively. While, the highest concentration of thoron is 310.23±52.11Bq. m−3 and lower concentration is 2.12±0.35 Bq. m−3 in Al-Thajil and Hayi Alamin, respectively. On the other hand, the annual effective inhalation has varied between 2.93±0.40 mSv. y−1 to 0.69±0.19 mSv. y−1. The results of this study are less than 3 mSv. y−1, which is recommended by an International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).