Determination of Radon Concentration in Some Types of Cigarettes

Radon concentrations in ten different types of cigarette samples were measured using CR-39 and silicon surface barrier detectors(SSBD). The samples were collected from Saudi and Egyptian markets and were coded k1 to k10. The results obtained from the study of radon (Rn) and thoron (Rn) showed that the cigarette brands are moderate in radioactivity while others raise radon concentration in air to 273.8 ± 0.4 Bq/m (k10 samples). The annual effective dose corresponding to this level is 5531 ± 8 μSvy, which is out the security (the maximum permissible dose is 1 mSvy), and so does the least radioactive brand (k4, 112.4 ± 0.6 Bq/m and 2270 ± 12 μSvy). Also for k10 samples, the maximum value of annual absorbed dose is 7901 ± 11 μGyy,and the minimum value for k4 is 3243 ± 17 μGyy. This may be due either to the soil and fertilizers, the additives or to both. This study may provide evidence of the intimate relation between smoke’s radon and risk of lung cancer.