Citation

Taheri, A. and Khandaker, M.U. and Rabus, H. and Moradi, F. and Bradley, D.A. and Abdul Rashid, Hairul Azhar (2025) A microscale Monte Carlo analysis on skin dosimetry and DNA damage induced by radon-rich water exposure. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 236. p. 112978. ISSN 0969806X

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Abstract

Radon (222Rn) significantly contributes to natural background radiation and poses well-documented health risks when inhaled or ingested. However, the effects of radon exposure on the skin, particularly through direct contact with radon-rich spring waters during activities such as bathing or spa treatments, have not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the dosimetric and radiobiological impacts of radon exposure on skin through Monte Carlo simulations using TOPAS and its TOPAS-nBio extension. We modeled two radon distributions: a Volume source in direct contact with the skin and a Permeated source penetrating 20 μm into the skin. Absorbed doses and direct DNA damages were evaluated in two reference cells: one on the skin surface (Cellsurf) and another at a depth of 70 μm (Cell70), following International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) guidelines for skin dosimetry. The results reveal that skin surface cells receive doses 2 - 3 orders of magnitude higher than deeper reference cells across both radon distributions, with significantly more severe DNA damage, including higher yields of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and complex DSBs. Notably, alpha particle penetration extends up to 80 μm in the Permeated source scenario, potentially impacting deeper skin layers beyond the epidermis. The SSB/DSB ratio - a key indicator of damage severity - is markedly lower in surface cells, indicating a greater biological risk at the skin surface compared to deeper layers. These findings highlight the predominant impact of radon-rich water on superficial skin layers, suggesting therapeutic potential for conditions like fungal infections, while raising concerns about cumulative DNA damage in regions with thinner epidermal layers or during prolonged exposure. Our study highlights the need for a balanced approach in evaluating both the therapeutic benefits and health risks of radon exposure, particularly in high-radon environments. Future research should incorporate skin heterogeneities and indirect DNA damage mechanisms, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, to further refine risk assessments and explore therapeutic applications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	DNA damage
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering (FOE)
Depositing User:	Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited:	26 Jun 2025 06:21
Last Modified:	26 Jun 2025 06:21
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/14087

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