Evaluation of the groundwater radon concentration in the Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait

Abstract

The importance of groundwater as a necessary and vital water supply has been increasing worldwide. With the overpopulation and improving living standards in the Al Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, the demand for these products has risen quickly in recent years. Significant activity has recently emerged in relation to the inherent radon concentration in water. Fifteen groundwater samples from various locations in the Al Jahra Governorate region of Kuwait were tested for radon (Rn-222) concentrations using a RAD 7 device, which is an electronic radon detector linked to a RAD 7- H2O accessory. The obtained concentrations of Rn-222 in the ground water samples examined in our investigation ranged from 3.51 Bq.l−1 to 19.35 Bq.l−1, with a mean of 9.01 Bq.l−1. The dose of Rn-222 to the stomach caused by drinking water varied from 6.76 to 37.24 μSv/y (average: 17.35 μSv/y), and the Rn-222 dose to the lungs varied from 8.85 to 48.75 μSv/y. (average: 22.71 μSv/y). The range of the total yearly effective dosage, with a mean of 40.06 μSv/y, was 15.62–85.99 μSv/y. The annual effective dose (AED) due to intake corresponded to the concentration of one Bq. l−1 was 4.445 μSv/y. The results of the present study showed that the AED concentrations of Rn-222 in many of the groundwater samples collected from around the Al Jahra Governorate were less than the actionable thresholds advised by the USEPA, UNSCEAR, the EU Council, and the WHO (0.1 mSv/y).