Anfal Ali Shakir1, Inaam Hani Kadhim2 and Ali O. Muhsen Almayyali3 and Fouad A. Majeed4*
1Department of Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, University of Al-Qasim
Green, Iraq
2,3,4 Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of
Babylon, Iraq.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract : In this paper, we study the concentration of radon gas in nine cosmetics samples
from different origins in Hilla city/ Iraq by using alpha-emitters registrations that emitted from
radon gas in CR-39 nuclear track detector. The results obtained shown that the highest average
radon gas concentration in cosmetics samples which recorded (17.79 Bq.m-3) for (Summer
Cake powder) sample, while the less was (0.05 Bq.m-3) for (Just Gold powder) sample. From
the present work all cosmetics samples were with lowest concentrations of radon gas than the
allowed limit from International Commission of Radiation protection (ICRP) agency[1].
Keywords : Radon concentration, CR-39 detector, alpha particles, cosmetics.
--------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Many researchers interested in the field of nuclear physics studying. The spectra of background
radiation as it acquires an important aspect of environmental protection pollution and control of natural
radioactivity and explore the possibility of radioactive materials. Where the background radiation is the basis
for the distinction between isotopes existing in nature quantitatively and the outputs of the nuclear reactors that
have acquired serious dimensions during the sixties and seventies of this century2. The natural radiation can be
arranged as cosmic rays or ground and dose rates differ significantly between cosmic rays and the earth due to
the dependence on the places where the measurements were conducted as well as the elevation above sea level
and concentrations of radioactive isotopes in the ground of the main reasons for this difference3. Where are
exposed all living things to a certain amount of natural radiation in the form of radiation particles in addition to
the sun. All living beings suffer from coming from space cosmic rays and also suffer from background
radiation natural, especially natural uranium, which contain isotopes of uranium-238 (ratio) 99.29% and
uranium - 235 0.71% turns these elements through a series of decay which emits Alpha particles, Beta particles
and Gamma rays to reach the lead element of a stable4. As well as the building materials and some rocks
contain small amount of natural isotopes of a series dissolution of uranium, and this isotope is radon (Rn-222)
half-life (3.82 d) thoron (Rn-220) half-life (56 sec)5. The greatest danger comes from exposure to radon and
thoron through the inhalation of these isotopes, which are likely to cause lung cancer. To find concentrations of
radon in environmental models, there are several ways to detect this gas4.
In the present work CR-39 nuclear track detector will be used to determine the levels of radon
concentrations of some samples of cosmetics collected from the local markets in Babylon province/Iraq.
Materials and Methods
Nine samples were taken from the cosmetics used by women in the city of Hilla , the weight (0.5) gm
of each sample and placed inside a sealed-cup it’s length (7cm). The nuclear track detector CR-39 localized on
the bottom surface of the sealed-cup cover and left samples with a detector for a month, as shown in Figure (1).
After the exposure period, which lasted (30 days), CR-39 detector was etched in 6.25 N of NaOH solution at
temperature of (60 ± 1 °C) by thermostat water bath (WATER BATH HH-2) for 5 hour and the calculated
density track (r) by electron microscope (type ALTABIO-1007) with magnification of (400×) connected with
camera 14 mp .

Conclusion
In conclusion, we found that the radon levels in cosmetics sample are within the internationally
acceptable values and there is no health risks. The average equals to (17.79) Bq.m-3. The average of reading
were lower than the permissible limits recommended by ICRP and EPA1,9.Computed data indicates that
imported cosmetics samples is safe without posing significant radiological threat to women.

References
1. ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection). Protection Against radon-222 at home
and at work. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1993(ICRP Publication 65).
2. Jabbar M. Rashid," Determination of Indoor Radon Concentration in Thi Qar Province Houses by using
CR-39 SSNTD",(2014) , J. Thi-Qar Sci.,4(4).
3. F. Michael, "Handbook of Radioactivity analysis", Elsevier Sci. (USA), Academic Press, 2nd . Ed.,
(2001) 20.
4. F. Spurn and K. Turek, “Track-etched detectors for the dosimetry of the radiation of cosmic
origin”,(2004), Radiation Protection Dosimetry ,109 (4) , PP. 375-381.
5. R. I. Skvar, J. Skvar, and A. N. Golovchenko, (2003),“Nuclear tracks: present and future perspectives”,
Radiation Measurements, (36) 1-6, PP.83-88.
6. Dawser Hussain Gh., Basim Khalaf R. and Zainab Hazim A.,"Measurement Radon Concentration in
Imported and Local Wood Using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors", (2013),Journal of Baghdad
Science ,(2)10.
7. Nada F. Tawfiq, Hussein M. Nasir and Rafaat Khalid," Determination of Radon Concentrations in ALNAJAF
Governorate by Using Nuclear Track Detector CR-39",(2012), Journal Science of Al-Nahrain
University 15 (1), March, , pp.83-87 83.
8. Ali A.Al-Hamidawi1, Hussein M. Nasir, Asia H. Al.Mashhadani,and Abdulhussan A. Al. Bayati ,"
Measurement of radon concentrations for some houses in Al-Najaf city /Iraq",(2013), Iraqi Journal of
Physics ,11(22), PP. 51-55.
9. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), "Radon Reference Manual", Office of Radiation Programs
Washington DC 20460, EPA 520/1-87-20, September 1987.