Measurement and risk assessment of radon gas in uterine tissue using passive detection methods

This study measured radon concentrations in uterine tissue specimens collected from 31 women aged 28–45 years who were experiencing fertility complications in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The participants were recruited from fertility departments at Maternity Hospital and Specialized Surgical Hospital in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil. The research employed CR-39 detector technology (a passive detection method) with a novel methodology where uterine tissue samples were positioned between two CR-39 detectors while preserved in formalin solution. The measured activity concentration of radon ranged from 74.94 to 289.32 Bq.m−3 yielding a mean concentration of 194.33 Bq.m−3, respectively. Approximately 61% of the measured radon concentrations fall below the world reference value of 200 Bq.m−3, while about 39% exceed this threshold. Because radon exposure increases health risk above certain levels, international bodies recommend setting the national reference level at a maximum of 200 Bq.m−3 for homes and most workplaces. The study also calculated the annual absorbed dose, annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk. The analysis of radon concentration indicated significant variation in the uterus samples under study, influenced by participant age, patient sensitivity to radiation, and the geological characteristics of their residential areas. A notable age-related trend emerged, with older participants demonstrating higher tissue radon concentration. While radon concentrations in most samples surpassed international safety benchmarks, the findings suggest potential health monitoring, particularly given the observed age-related accumulation patterns in reproductive tissues.