Abstract
BackgroundRadon gas is considered as a main risk factor for lung cancer and found naturally in rock, soil, and water. The objective of this study was to determine the radon level in the drinking water sources in Nablus city in order to set up a sound policy on water management in Palestine.MethodsThis was a descriptive study carried out in two phases with a random sampling technique in the second phase. Primarily, samples were taken from 4 wells and 5 springs that supplied Nablus city residents. For each source, 3 samples were taken and each was analyzed in 4 cycles by RAD 7 device manufactured by Durridge Company. Secondly, from the seven regions of the Nablus city, three samples were taken from the residential tap water of each region. Regarding the old city, ten samples were taken. Finally, the mean radon concentration value for each source was calculated.ResultsThe mean (range) concentration of radon in the main sources were 6.9 (1.5-23.4) Becquerel/liter (Bq/L). Separately, springs and wells' means were 4.6 Bq/L and 9.5 Bq/L; respectively. For the residential tap water in the 7 regions, the results of the mean (range) concentration values were found to be 1.0 (0.9-1.3) Bq/L. For the old city, the mean (range) concentration values were 2.3 (0.9-3.9) Bq/L.ConclusionsExcept for Al-Badan well, radon concentrations in the wells and springs were below the United State Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminated level (U.S EPA MCL). The level was much lower for tap water. Although the concentration of radon in the tap water of old city were below the MCL, it was higher than other regions in the city. Preventive measures and population awareness on radon's exposure are recommended.
Highlights
Radon gas is considered as a main risk factor for lung cancer and found naturally in rock, soil, and water
The mean radon level was below 11 Bq/L which is the safe level approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S EPA) [10]
We presented the old city radon concentration levels on the same figure (Figure 3)
Summary
Radon gas is considered as a main risk factor for lung cancer and found naturally in rock, soil, and water. It is a chemically and biologically inert noble gas with a heavily neutron-rich nucleus that makes it a radioactive element [1]. It has three main natural isotopes; radon-222 (Rn-222); radon-220 (Rn-220 known as thoron); and radon-219 (Rn-219) [2]. Mountainous regions and phosphate rich soil regions and water, all over the world, tend to have varying amounts of Rn-222 [3,4].
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