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Abstract

Measurements of radon concentration, effective radium content, potential alpha energyconcentration (PAEC) and annual effective dose (AED) were estimated for soil samples in fifteen locationsof the Baghdad governorate (Karakh) in the central part of Iraq. In this survey we used the can technique,containing nuclear track detector (CR-39). The obtained values of radon concentration measurements weregenerally low, ranging from 38.12±13.46 to 94.51±16.5 Bq/m3, with an average 66.07 Bq/m3, while theeffective radium content varied from 5.80±0.21 Bq/kg to 14.39±0.33 Bq/kg with an average 10.09 Bq/kg. The average of the PAEC and AED were assessed to be 7.14 mWL 1.66 mSv/y, respectively. The resultsof the present study shows that the radium content are lower than the allowed limit reported by Organizationfor Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that is equal to 370 Bq/kg. In general, it is seen thatthe AED limit was within the recommended reference level (3 mSv/y to 10 mSv/y) of the World HealthOrganization. Also, it is found that there is a strong correlation (R2= 1) between radon concentrations andeffective radium content. The results obtained from this study indicate that the locations of Karakh hasbackground radioactivity(radon concentrations) levels within the natural limits.