Abstract
Across populations, the dominating source of public exposure to radiation is radon gas. In the present study, we aimed at determining the concentration of radon in water sources from the southwest coastal region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 27 water samples were taken from various water sources which included groundwater, as well as hot spring, lake, river, seawater, and tap water; the radon concentrations were measured using a RAD7 portable radon detector. The radon concentrations ranged from 0.07 ± 0.12 to 187 ± 12 Bq l−1, with an average of 21 ± 12 Bq l−1. The highest concentration was found in hot spring water, with an average concentration of 99 ± 6 Bq l−1, while the lowest concentration was found in tap water, with an average concentration of 1.95 ± 0.61 Bq l−1. The average concentrations of radon for all categories of sampled water were below the 100 Bq l−1 WHO guidance level for safe drinking water. According to the ICRP effective dose conversion factor and UNSCEAR (2000), the total effective dose from the summation of inhaled and imbibed water was calculated from the aqueous radon concentrations, with an average effective dose of 4.45 µSv y−1, well within the WHO safe drinking water guideline value of 100 µSv per year. The results of this study could support the efforts of authorities and regulators who are responsible for controlling and strategizing to ensure public safety against radon exposures.
Highlights
Radon (222 Rn), a radioactive gas with a half-life of 3.82 days, is a prominent dose conveying product of the 238 U decay process
In this study of 27 samples of water taken from different sources, the measured radon concentrations are given in Table 1, with an average value of 21.21 ± 1.67 Bq l−1
The lowest radon concentration in water was recorded for the sampling location M15 (Durian Tunggal, Malacca), while the highest concentration of radon was recorded from the sampling location
Summary
Radon (222 Rn), a radioactive gas with a half-life of 3.82 days, is a prominent dose conveying product of the 238 U decay process. Radon is ubiquitous in soil and water; its presence in the earth’s crust varies according to the underlying geology, forming a source of internal and external exposure to all life on earth [1]. It is a gas, and highly mobile; it can move quickly from rocks and soil, through to air and water. Since access to safe water supplies is a basic human right, it is worthwhile noting that the presence of radon can have an impact on health In numerous situations, such as showering, washing clothes, and flushing toilets, radon is released from the water and mixed with indoor air. Radon from water contributes to the total risk associated with radon in indoor air, and its radioactive decay products are exposed to sensitive cells in the stomach, and other organs, once absorbed into the bloodstream [3]
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