Radioactivity measurements in tap water in Gaza Strip (Al-Naser Area

Abstract

Ionizing radiation comes from outer space (cosmic), the ground (terrestrial), and even from within our own bodies. It is present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and in the construction materials used to build our homes. Exposure to radon and its progeny is believed to be associated with increased risks of several kinds of cancer. When radon or its progeny is inhaled, lung cancer accounts for most of the total incremental cancer risk. Ingestion of radon in water is suspected of being associated with increased risk of tumors of several internal organs, primarily the stomach. In this work, the activity of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, in tap water in the north-east of Gaza (Al-Naser area) were measured. For this purpose we used a solid state nuclear track detectors (CR-39) and some other detectors (Geiger counter, NaI detector). The average gross alpha concentration from C4-39 is 35.50 Bq/m3 (0.95 pci/L), the maximum concentration is 64.67 Bq/m3 , and minimum concentration is 24.20 Bq/m3 . Results obtained from all detectors, and their methods will be shown, and compared with the word average of 15 pci/L, all results indicate low level of activity.