Analysis Of Radon Concentrations Research Articles

Analysis of radon concentrations in drinking water in coastal regions of Karnataka, South India.

The measurements of radon activity in water samples from several parts of Karnataka were studied. Drinking water quality is a routine tool in health and environmental research. Radon exposure puts the entire public at risk for radiological damage through inhalation and ingestion. Radon concentrations were measured using the emanometry technique. Estimated 222Rn activity concentration in water has been found to vary from 2.05 to 28.02Bql-1 with an average value of 7.38Bql-1. For all samples under study, the total average annual effective doses are much less than the safe limit of 100μSv y-1.

Analysis of radon concentration in ground water and estimation of associated health risks in Purulia Municipality, West Bengal, India

Analysis of radon concentration in ground water and estimation of associated health risks in Purulia Municipality, West Bengal, India

Analysis of radon concentration and gamma dose rate in residential houses of Ambon and Seram Islands, Maluku

Radon concentration analysis in the residential houses on Ambon and Seram Island - Maluku through the passive method using the CR-39 nuclear track detector has been studied. The CR-39 nuclear track detector was installed inside the residential houses for 3 months. After finishing the exposure, the detector was taken and etched using 6.25 N NaOH solution. The nuclear track of radon in the CR-39 was read by a microscope with 400 times magnification. From the results of reading the track, determination of radon concentration in the houses was calculated. The results of the analysis showed that radon concentrations in the residential houses of Ambon and Seram Islands, Maluku at the low level were in the range of 2.56 ± 0.18 Bq/m3 to 59.65 ± 4.22Bq/m3 with an average value of 28.42 ± 1.98 Bq/m3. The average concentration of radon is still below the average radon concentration in the world of 50 Bq/m3. The value of dose received by the population due to exposure of radon and gamma radiation in the range of 0.90-1.44 mSv/year. There is a positive correlation between radon concentration value and total radiation doses received by the population for a year. This data can be used in the study of radiation safety for the Ministry of Health and as a contribution to Indonesia in the international community about monitoring environmental radiation from radon concentrations in residential houses

Estimation of radon concentration in soil and groundwater samples of Northern Rajasthan, India

In the present investigation, analysis of radon concentration in 20 water and soil samples collected from different locations of Bikaner and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan, India has been carried out by using RAD7 an electronic Radon detector. The measured radon concentration in water samples lies in the range from 0.50 to 22 Bq l−1 with the mean value of 4.42 Bq l−1, which lies within the safe limit from 4 to 40 Bq l−1 recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2008). The total annual effective dose estimated due to radon concentration in water ranges from 1.37 to 60.06 μSV y−1 with the mean value of 12.08 μSV y−1, which is lower than the safe limit 0.1 mSv y−1 as set by World Health Organization (WHO, 2004) and European Council (EU, 1998). Radon measurement in soil samples varies from 941 to 10,050 Bq m−3 with the mean value of 4561 Bq m−3, which lies within the range reported by other investigators. It was observed that the soil and water of Bikaner and Jhunjhunu districts are suitable for drinking and construction purpose without posing any health hazard.

Radon in “nonradonic” ground waters of the Baikal region: Spatial and temporal variations

Based on the analysis of radon concentrations in several dozen springs and wells, three groups were distinguished for the waters classified as “nonradonic.” The spatial regularities of the distribution of these groups were revealed, along with the quantitative characteristic of the anomalies and the background, in view of their belonging to the Baikal and Transbaikal hydromineral provinces of the region.

SZACOWANIE DAWEK EFEKTYWNYCH POCHODZĄCYCH OD RADONU W WYBRANYCH PLACÓWKACH GEOTERMALNYCH SPA NA PODSTAWIE INFORMACJI O STĘŻENIACH RADONU

Geothermal waters contain, among other components, soluble radon gas. Alpha radioactive radon is a health hazard to humans, especially when it gets into the respiratory tract. SPA facilities that use geothermal water can be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there. Based on the available literature concerning radon concentrations, we assessed exposure to radon among people - workers and visitors of Spa centers that use geothermal waters. Radon concentrations were analyzed in 17 geothermal centers: in Greece (3 centers), Iran (5), China (4) and India (5). Doses recived by people in the SPA were estimated using the formula that 1 hour exposure to 1 Bq/m3 of radon concentration and equilibrium factor F = 0.4 corresponds to an effective dose of 3.2 nSv. We have found that radon levels in SPAs are from a few to several times higher than those in confined spaces, where geothermal waters are not used (e.g., residential buildings). In 82% of the analyzed SPAs, workers may receive doses above 1 mSv/year. According to the relevant Polish regulations, people receiving doses higher than 1 mSv/year are included in category B of radiation exposure and require regular dosimetric monitoring. Doses received by SPA visitors are much lower because the time of their exposure to radon released from geothermal water is rather short. The analysis of radon concentration in SPA facilities shows that the radiological protection of people working with geothermal waters plays an important role. It seems reasonable to include SPA workers staying close to geotermal waters into a dosimetric monitoring program.

Analysis of radon concentration in drinking water in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India

Radon levels were measured in drinking water samples collected from Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India. The measurements were performed by RAD7 an electronic radon detector manufactured by Durridge Company Inc. The radon concentration in these samples is found to vary from (1.6 ± 0.6) to (5.4 ± 0.7) Bq/l with a mean value of (3.3 ± 1.1) Bq/l. These recorded values are compared with the safe limit values recommended for drinking water by various health and environmental protection agencies. The recorded values of radon concentration are within the safe limit of 11 Bq/l recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The annual effective dose for ingestion and inhalation is also evaluated in this research. The estimated total effective dose varies from 4.29 to 14.47 μSv/year. The total effective dose in all locations of the studied area is found to be within the safe limit (0.1 mSv/year) recommended by World Health Organization and European Council.

Use of Radon Measurements for Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Vapor Intrusion

We have utilized a simple method for the collection of gas samples from vapor intrusion investigation sites and the analysis of radon concentrations at an offsite laboratory. The radon data can be used to evaluate the movement of soil gas through building foundations at sites contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) where vapor intrusion is a concern. The use of radon as a tracer for the movement of soil gas into buildings minimizes the problem of indoor sources associated with the direct measurement VOCs. We have used this method to measure indoor to sub-slab attenuation factors in six buildings with the resulting values ranging from 0.0002 to 0.006 (dim). These values are similar to radon attenuation factors reported by other researchers, but are much lower than default values for VOCs recommended in regulatory guidance (United States Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA], 2002). The vertical radon concentration profile in soil gas can be used to evaluate soil gas mixing with the atmosphere to support the collection of soil gas samples for VOC analysis adjacent to, rather than below, a building.

Analysis of radon concentration in drinking water in Baoji (China) and the associated health effects

This paper presents the results of radon concentration measurements in drinking water from the municipal water supply system and private wells located in Baoji, China. The measurements were carried out on 69 samples. The mean values of tap water and well water were found to be 12 kBq m(-3) with a maximum of 18 kBq m(-3) and 41 kBq m(-3) with a maximum of 127 kBq m(-3), respectively. The well water samples obtained from different depth-well (water-bearing levels), i.e. shallow well (well depth under 10 m) water, middle well (well depth 10-30 m) water and deep well water, have respective mean values of 24, 34 and 56 kBq m(-3). The contributions of the observed radon concentration in drinking water to indoor radon account for 2.8-13.2% of the mean value of Shaanxi indoor radon concentration and the effective dose to the dweller owing to inhalation of radon emanating from household water is 0.03-0.14 mSv y(-1).

Radon levels in Cyprus

Radon levels in atmospheric and aquatic systems in Cyprus have recently been measured using the radon monitor Alpha Guard. Indoor and outdoor radon levels were obtained in situ, whereas analysis of radon concentrations in water was performed using tap and ground water samples collected from several areas of the island. The average value for outdoor and indoor radon concentration is 11±10 and 7±6 Bq m −3, respectively, and for tap and ground water 0.4 Bq l −1 and 1.4 Bq l −1, respectively. From these data the annual dose equivalent of airborne radon to the Cypriot population is about 0.19 mSv y −1, which is quite low compared to the total dose equivalent of natural and man-made ionising radiation in Cyprus. Radon levels in aquatic systems are relatively low due to an exhaustive utilisation of ground water resources and also to the increased input of desalinated sea water in the water distribution network and eventually into the ground water reservoirs.

Analysis of radon concentration in soil with comparison of two methods of measurement: Track-etch method and proportional counter

Analysis of radon concentration in soil with comparison of two methods of measurement: Track-etch method and proportional counter