Measurement of Radon Exhalation Rate from Pottery Meal Dishes in Erbil City by using Passive and Active Techniques

Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) of type CR-39 has been used in this study as a passive method to measure the radon activity concentration, radon exhalation rate (in terms of area and mass), and effective radon content in the pottery meal dishes of different origins (Germany, England, China, and Iran) in Erbil city. The RAD7 solid state detector has also used as an active method for measuring the radon activity concentrations from the measurement of alpha-particle track density. The results reveal that the highest exhalation rate and effective radium content of 0.690.035 mBq.m-2.h-1 and 0.258±0.013 Bq.Kg-1, respectively, were found in England meal dishes; while the lowest exhalation rate and effective radium content of 0.1960.0098 mBq.m-2.h-1 and 0.106±0.005 Bq.Kg-1, respectively, were found in China meal dishes. It is concluded that the radon exhalation rate from the pottery dishes has significant contribution to the indoor doses that should be taken into account.