Determination of Radon Concentrations in Some Schools in Tatvan District of Bitlis Province

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 1440 - 1452, 30.09.2025

Burcu Bozova Aydin , Nergiz Yıldız Yorgun , Ömer Faruk Özdemir , Halime Erzen Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1654172

Abstract

Schools are essential social infrastructures where children spend a significant part of their time and require close attention to ensure a safe and healthy environment. In this study, 222Rn concentration measurements and annual effective dose calculations were conducted in 20 schools in Tatvan district of Bitlis province using LR-115 (Type-2) nuclear track detectors. Measurements were conducted over two periods: spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November). Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 23.39 to 222.06 Bq/m³ in spring and 42.68 to 308.38 Bq/m³ in autumn, with arithmetic means of 83.68 Bq/m³ and 126.49 Bq/m³, respectively. In addition, the effect of floor level on indoor radon concentration was investigated. A clear floor-level variation was observed, with ground-floor rooms (mean: 120.77 Bq/m³) showing higher radon levels than upper-floor rooms (mean: 89.40 Bq/m³). Moreover, the annual effective dose due to radon exposure for teachers and students in the schools were estimated to range from 0.19 and 1.51 mSv/y. Annual effective dose measurements showed that although most schools fall within acceptable radiological ranges, two schools (S1 and S5) recorded annual effective doses slightly above the 1.15 mSv/y global average reported by UNSCEAR (2000). These findings highlight the need for continued monitoring and preventive measures to ensure radiological safety in educational environments.

Keywords

Annual effective dose , Bitlis , LR-115 , Radon

Ethical Statement

There is no conflict of interest between the authors.

Thanks

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all individuals and schools who contributed to the realization of this study. This study was approved by the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Committee on Publication Ethics for Science and Engineering (Decision No: 2022/02-01).

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