In this study, radioactive radon gas (Rn222) measurements were carried out in soil samples in three selected regions of Basra city in Southern Iraq. The study areas were divided into three main regions: north, east and west of Basra city. One of the three selected areas is a natural rural area, the other two are urban-industrial areas. The northern region is called “Al-Qurna”; the second is called “Kutaiban” and is located east of Basra city; the third is called “Al-Shuaiba” and is located west of Basra. Three research points were selected from each study area as a preliminary experiment. The area, Al-Shuaiba, located approximately 15-20 kilometers west of Basra city center, is character-ized by the presence of oil extraction and refining facilities. Five samples were taken from different locations in this region, yielding the highest and lowest concentrations given below: 298.3±4.0-352.9±4.7 Bq/m3. The overall average for the five samples in this area was 315.4±4.18 Bq/m3. Al-Qurna is located approximately (70-75 km) north of the center of Basra Governorate. This area where oil production fields are located produces gas, steam and smoke emissions. Five samples were taken from different places and the radon gas concentrations at these places in Al-Qurna were measured as 69.1±9.4 - 126.6±1.7 Bq/m3. The overall average of these samples is 112.2±3.2 Bq/m3. The concentrations in this area were found to be within the international system used to measure radon concentrations and therefore safe. The last area is (Kutaiban) located east of the Basra Governorate center. This area is charac-terized by a rural area rich in rivers and palm forests and therefore few factories and facilities except the thermal power plant. In these study areas, radon gas concentrations were found in five different locations and yielding the highest and lowest concentrations given below: 36.3±5.3-109.1±1.4 Bq/m3. The overall mean for these samples is 77.8±1.9 Bq/m3.
As a result, it was found that the radon level measured in natural areas was 2-3 times lower than in industrial areas. It is thought that this situation may be caused by radon gas rising from under-ground layers to the upper layers as a result of the breaking of these layers during oil extraction.