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Radiometric monitoring of construction materials is required for estimating the interior and exterior exposure to ionizing radiation emitted by terrestrial radioactive elements in building materials. Using gamma-ray spectroscopy, the activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40  K in fifty-two samples from eighteen different building materials commonly used in Erbil city, Kurdistan region, Iraq, were evaluated to assess possible radioactive dangers to human health. The activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40  K ranged from 1 ± 0.1 (gypsum board) to 130 ± 11 (granite), 1.3 ± 0.2 (gypsum) to 66 ± 8 (ceramic sample), and 18.74 ± 4 (gypsum) to 1061.708 ± 40 (granite) with an average of 28 ± 5, 20.7 ± 4, and 340.8 ± 18 (average ± standard deviation), respectively. Radiological indicators (activity concentration index, alpha and gamma index, hazard indices, interior absorbed gamma dose rate and the corresponding yearly effective dosage rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk) were computed to assess the health risks associated with these building materials. Consideration was given to the indoor annual effective dosage for common construction materials, the radon surface expiration rate, and the indoor radon concentration. The mean values of activity concentration were then inputted into the RESRAD-BUILD computer software to calculate a resident's long-term radiation exposure. The dosages were measured over a range of 0 to 70 years. From 0 to 30 years, there was a significant change in dosages; however, from 30 to 70 years, the dosages were reasonably consistent. This research demonstrates that granite samples are not safe for dwellings with poor ventilation (especially those without windows). In general, other investigated construction materials in the buildings are deemed safe for the population, since the computed values for these parameters fall within the well-being restrictions or criterion values., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Inhaling radon is the most common way that humans are exposed to this radioactive gas. Radon can seep into buildings and homes, where it can accumulate to levels that can be harmful to human health. According to the World Health Organization, radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: The radon concentrations, effective dosage and lung dose were assessed in construction building materials of sand, cement, and bricks in Al-Shatra City, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq using solid state nuclear track detector CR-39. Results: The average radon concentrations in sand were 92.766 ± 46.518 Bqm-3, while in bricks was 198.256 ± 87.64 Bqm-3 and cement was 69.897±46.903 Bqm-3. According to this study, there was difference in the concentrations of radon, and the largest amount was found in the bricks. An annual effective dose was 2.34 mSvy-1, 4.99 mSvy-1 and 1.76 mSvy-1 for sand, bricks and cement, respectively. On the other hand, the lung dose was determined to be 3.71, 7.92 and 2.795 for sand, bricks and cement respectively. Conclusion: The concentrations of radon gas in building materials were consistent with recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 200- 300 Bqm-3 except the bricks materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]