Assessment of radon exhalation rate and radium content in soil samples from east west bank, palestine

Soil samples from the eastern West Bank, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas)', reveal significant variations in radon concentration and radium content, with Al-Maghtas showing particularly high levels. Radon concentrations ranged from 169.3 to 6184.4 Bq/m³, while effective radium content varied between 8.2 and 301.2 Bq/kg. The study also identified notable radon exhalation rates, with averages reaching up to 543 mBq/m²h (19.5 mBq/kg/h). These findings suggest potential health risks in certain areas and provide a baseline for monitoring radiation levels over time. The research employed comparative analysis against similar studies to assess the implications of these radiological characteristics.

Khalilia, W., Mashal, L., Faugno, A., Thabayneh, K., & al-Wahish, A. (2024). Assessment of radon exhalation rate and radium content in soil samples from east west bank, palestine. Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, 39(4), 300–311. https://doi.org/10.2298/ntrp2404300k