Radiological hazard assessment and statistical analysis of radionuclides in the soil samples of Raparin region, Iraq

Soil samples from the Raparin region of Iraqi Kurdistan were analyzed to determine natural radionuclide concentrations and assess the associated radiological hazards. Monitoring indoor and outdoor radioactivity is essential for evaluating potential health risks and developing mitigation strategies. In this study, gamma-ray spectroscopy with a high-purity germanium detector (2.78 × 2.78 inches) was employed to measure activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K. The measured concentrations were 72.16 ± 4.09, 85.94 ± 5.09, and 324.58 ± 16.58 Bq kg -1 , respectively. Based on these values, several hazard indices were calculated, including radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, gamma activity index, external and internal hazard indices, annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, and organ-specific effective dose rates. The results were compared with international safety limits to evaluate potential risks. Statistical analyses, including skewness, kurtosis, and Pearson correlation coefficients, were applied to characterize radionuclide distributions and relationships. The study highlights the need for further assessment of exposure risks in regional soil samples.