Estimation rate of total alpha particle emission in blood and milk of women living in city center and rural areas of Al-Muthanna Governorate-Iraq

Abstract Iraq has long suffered from environmental pollution due to past wars, specifically the first and second Gulf Wars in 1990 and 2003. Al-Muthanna governorate, as part of Iraq, was directly affected by these conflicts and has experienced environmental and epidemiological changes that may increase the risk of cancer in the region. For this reason, monitoring the alpha particles emissions in human blood and milk was of significant importance. This study aims to estimate the total alpha particle emission rate (Eα) in blood and milk samples of women residing in different environments (rural area and city center) of Al-Muthanna Governorate, using CR-39 detectors. The results revealed that the highest, lowest, and mean Eα values in milk samples from city center and rural areas were (1.63, 0.68, and 1.10 mBq/ml) and (1.59, 0.56, and 1.01 mBq/ml), respectively. The maximum, minimum, and average Eα values in the city center and rural areas blood samples were (2.05, 0.90, and 1.31 mBq/ml) and (1.61, 0.66, and 1.12 mBq/ml), respectively. The findings indicated that the Eα in milk and blood samples in rural areas were lower than in the city center, which may be attributed to the reduced anthropogenic and military activities in rural areas.