Radon gas mapping for environmental assessment in Dessie, Ethiopia

Abstract The geological formations of Dessie town contain rocks that release radon gas, the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. To date, there have been no investigations of geology-based radon health risks in Dessie town. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and map the temporal and spatial distribution of radon gas concentrations within Dessie town. The evaluation and mapping were done using advanced geological and geospatial techniques, employing Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) software to integrate the research area’s weather conditions and geological data using shape files for the study area and masking with its geological map. Geological analysis helps to know whether the geological formation of Dessie town is composed of basaltic rocks, as shown on the geological map of Dessie town, which was obtained from the Ethiopian Geological Institute. Based on these geological formations and geospatial analysis, radon gas activity concentrations were estimated in two different ranges: from 3 $$\:581.5{\:\text{B}\text{q}\text{m}}^{-3}\:\text{t}\text{o}\:\text{10,744.5}{\:\text{B}\text{q}\text{m}}^{-3}$$ for the emanation coefficient 0.3 and from $$\:\:35.815\:{\:\text{B}\text{q}\text{m}}^{-3}\:\text{t}\text{o}\:107.\:445\:{\text{B}\text{q}\text{m}}^{-3}\:\:$$ for the emanation coefficient 0.1 for this study area. The radon gas distribution map indicates radon levels in Dessie town fall into two ranges, each with its own potential hotspots, as shown by circles of different colors on the map. These results indicate that there exist health-related problems at nine stations due to prolonged exposure to radon gas, and for further investigation of radon gas activity concentrations and their health impact, we recommend experimental measurements provide more accurate results.