Quantification of radiological dose and chemical toxicity due to radon and uranium in drinking water in Bageshwar region of Indian Himalaya

Abstract

The present study had an objective to approximate radon and uranium as naturally occurring radioactive constituents in spring-water samples and assessment of AED (annual effective dose), radiological risks; and chemical toxicity, when spring-water is the source of drinking water. Based on the population density in study area (Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, India), random sampling process was adopted for the collection of water samples from eighty natural springs. The concentration of radon was estimated using Advanced SMART RnDuo while for estimation of uranium, LED fluorimeter was used. The observed values were subjected to statistical analysis to illustrate the spatial distribution of radon and uranium in the study area as well as for determination of associated health risks for inhabitants. The results revealed that radon activity in spring-water samples varies from 3.4 to 101.3 Bq/L with a mean value of 34.4 ± 3.8 Bq/L while the uranium concentration in water samples ranges from 0.1 to 28.4 μg/L with the mean value of 1.6 μg/L. In 35% samples radon concentration has been found more than the permissible limit prescribed by UNSCEAR. The observed values of electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolve solids (TDS) were also found within the recommended limits of WHO. Therefore the relatively higher observed concentration of radon in spring water than the permissible limits of health regulatory agencies may be a matter of concern in radiological prospective as well as for chemical toxicity in infants and children inhibiting the study area.