Measurements of Radioactive Pollution in the Soil near the Power Generators

The aim of present work was to assess the impact of diesel power generators wastes on radon levels using solid state nuclear track detector CR-39. Forty eight soil samples were collected from area around four power generators located in Al-Ghazalia region in Baghdad, Iraq. Twelve samples at depths of 10-30cm around each generator were taken, three in each direction (N, S, E and W) at different distances (0, 5, and 10m). The value of radon concentrations ranged from 358.3Bq.m-3 at distance 5.0m from G2N to 1258.6Bq.m-3 at distance 10.0m for G2S. The mean values of radon concentrations varied from the lowest value of 604.6 Bq.m-3 to the highest value of 694.7Bq.m-3 in the soil samples around G1 and G4, respectively. The mean value was 636.6 Bq.m-3. The values of radon level are higher than the international recommended value. Surface and mass exhalation rates were also calculated with average values of (0.35) Bq.m-2.h-1 and (0.15) Bq.kg-1.h-1, respectively. These values are found to be below the limit of the recommended values.

Keywords:

Radon sampling , Exhalation rate , Power generator , Soil pollution , Radioactive pollution