Indoor radon concentration in kindergartens, play-and elementary schools in Zulfy city (Saudi Arabia)

This study is conducted & thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Shawal 1428H - October 2007GThere is a special interest in radon measurement in kindergartens, play- and elementary schools in different countries. In this present work, which is the first study regarding radon measurements concentration in Saudi Arabian schools, we have measured radon in kindergartens, play and elementary schools in Zulfi city. Therefore, by the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, 392 detectors were distributed over area of 5 regions. These regions are divided for easy classification, and it depends on the distance between the region and Tuwaiq Mountains. After about 8 months, the detectors were collected, and the average radon concentration in the five regions in Zulfi city found to be 74.67 ± 3.04 Bq/m3, which is higher than the level reported in former studies in other parts of Saudi Arabia. It is nearly close to the concentration level reported in the eastern part of Al-Qaseem province, which is 67 ± 8 Bq/m3. This result is still within normal limits and below the action level provided by the international environmental organizations (148 Bq/m3