CONCENTRATIONS OF RADON IN URINE AND SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH RENAL STONE AND RENAL FAILURE

Background: Natural and artificial sources of radiation affect humans when exposed to them. Radionuclides emit alpha and beta particles, which can interact with the electrons of the surrounding atoms of different matter, which leads to the ionization and destruction of these tissues, which may lead to many diseases. The concentration of radiation in the blood and urine increases; one of the most dangerous sources of radiation available is radon. The aim is to determine the concentration of radon gas (222Rn) in biological samples (urine and serum) using a solid-state nuclear track detector (CR-39). Methods: biological samples (urine and serum) were analyzed in this study in Najaf Governorate, Iraq, of renal stone patients, renal failure patients, chronic kidney disease patients, and a group of healthy control patients in three age groups. Results: the mean levels of 222Rn in urine samples for healthy controls and renal stones patients (17.27 and 22.77), the mean levels of 222Rn in serum samples for healthy controls, renal stones patients, renal failure patients, chronic kidney disease patients (2.43, 9.83,6.99 and 4.24) respectively. Discussion: it was found that the 222Rn levels are higher in urine samples compared to the serum, and the 222Rn levels in the serum of all patients are higher than in healthy people. These differences are statistically significant p < 0.01, which indicates that renal stone patients and renal failure patients are associated with a significant increase in 222Rn levels compared to healthy people. Conclusions: levels of 222Rn in urine and serum can be considered as a biomarker to discriminate between patients and healthy individuals. The findings of this study can, therefore, be used as a potential diagnostic tool for kidney patients.