Abstract
Values of indoor radon concentrations averaged over one year has been determined in 60 dwellings mainly located in the coastal part of Kuwait. All dwellings were monitored using the track-etch method. The monitors used were replaced every 3 months to detect seasonal variations. Mean values of 41, 43.5, 42.5 and 41.3 Bq/m
3 were measured during autumn, winter, spring, and summer, respectively. The highest concentration in the survey, 103 Bq/m
3 was repeatedly measured during winter and spring, indicating lower ventilation rates. Separate data distributions for different floor levels shows mean Rn concentrations of 54.4, 48.4, 44, 41 and 31.3 Bq/m
3 in the basement and on the ground, first, second and third floors, respectively. The overall mean Rn concentration from the whole study was 41.3 Bq/m
3, which is equivalent to 5.58 mWL. Assuming an equilibrium factor of 0.5, and an occupancy factor of 0.8, the average exposure to the short-lived daughters of radon-222 of a member of Kuwait population is 0.228 WLM/yr. This is equal to an effective dose equivalent of 2.28 mSv, which is very close to the effective dose equivalent from natural radiation amounting to 2 mSv/yr. It is expected that further reduction in indoor ventilation, for the purpose of energy saving, will cause an increase in population radiation doses.