Title: Assessment of annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk due to natural gamma radiation in selected residential buildings in Erbil City, Iraq

Authors: Sardar Qader Othman; Khdr Hamedamin Husen; Ali Hassan Ahmed

Addresses: Department of Physiotherapy, Erbil Technical Health and Medical College, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Kurdistan-Region, Iraq ' Department of Physics, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq ' Department of Physics, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract: The global concern over gamma irradiation is a substantial issue that encompasses both indoor and outdoor environments. In order to achieve this objective, an initial assessment of absorbed gamma dose rates was conducted at around 80 monitoring locations situated within specific residential structures in Erbil, Iraq. This represents the first instance of conducting such measures within this particular environment. A Geiger Muller digital survey meter was used to quantify gamma exposure at each monitoring station, 1 metre above ground. Additionally, a GPS device was used to correctly capture coordinates. The average absorbed gamma dose rates observed were 0.161 μSv.h⁻¹ for indoor environments and 0.136 μSv.h⁻¹ for outdoor environments. The average Annual Effective Doses (AED) for these areas were found to be 1.129 mSv.y⁻¹ and 0.239 mSv.y⁻¹ for indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. Additionally, the study found an Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) of 4.7 × 10⁻³, which is much higher than the global average of 0.29 × 10⁻³. Overcoming AED and ELCR thresholds raises cancer risk. Thus, these elements may harm natives. Management and radiation monitoring require regular radiation concentration monitoring to maintain safe levels. This surveillance is needed for public safety.

Keywords: gamma dose rate; indoor; outdoor; AED; annual effective dose; ELCR; excess lifetime cancer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2025.148440

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2025 Vol.18 No.1, pp.23 - 40

Received: 12 Nov 2024
Accepted: 17 May 2025
Published online: 04 Sep 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article