Radon Concentration In Water Research Articles

Assessment of contamination level of radon (222Rn) in drinking water around Tulsishyam geothermal area and Savarkundla fault in Saurashtra, India.

This study aimed to estimate radon concentrations in groundwater and surface water to evaluate radon (222Rn) contamination in drinking water within the Amreli region of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. Water samples from 84 sites, covering about 3000km2, were analyzed using the RAD7 device from Durridge Instruments. Samples were collected in 250ml radon-tight bottles. Radon concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 13.6Bq/L, averaging 4.52Bq/L. At three sites (P9, P29, P35), radon levels exceeded the USEPA limit of 11.1Bq/L. P9 and P29 are near the Tulsishyam geothermal area, while P35 is close to the Savarkundla fault. Geothermal fluids in Tulsishyam may facilitate radon migration, and swarm-type earthquakes near Savarkundla could also contribute to radon migration. Concurrently, physicochemical parameters like Potential of Hydrogen (pH) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) were measured, with no significant correlation found between radon levels and these parameters. Samples were taken from tube wells with depths ranging from 105 to 750 feet, averaging 359 feet. A strong and significant correlation (0.83) was observed between radon concentration and water depth. Health risks from radon exposure were assessed by estimating annual effective dose rates for different age groups through ingestion and inhalation. In some instances, the annual effective dose rate surpassed the WHO-recommended value of 100µSv/year. However, in most instances, the presence of radon in the water does not indicate a significant radiological risk.

Assessment of Radon Concentration and Health Hazards in Natural Spring Water of a Sub-Himalayan District

The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of radon contamination in twenty-six drinking water samples from natural springs were collected from Dhirkot Azad Kashmir, along with four bottled mineral water samples. Radon gas escapes from the earth’s crust due to uranium ores and diffuses into the atmosphere. This study assessed the levels of radon concentration, the yearly effective radiation dose, and carcinogenic risk from radon exposure in drinking water samples. The radon concentration varied from 0.28 to 30.25 Bq/L. The mean radon concentration of all samples was found to be 7.86 ± 2.3 Bq/L. The radon concentrations in bottled drinking water were found to be lower than those in natural springs. The statistical and GIS analyses included the use of interpolation and Pearson’s correlation matrix. Seven samples had radon concentration that surpassed the standard limit established by the US-EPA, which is 11 Bq/L. The average annual effective dose from inhalation and ingestion was found to be lower than the value (0.1 mSv/y) provided by the WHO, but for some natural spring water samples, it exceeded the risk limit. The cancer risk revealed that 40% of the samples had an elevated lifetime cancer risk from radon exposure. Overall, the majority of the results obtained aligned with the worldwide guidelines established by the US-EPA. However, there were a few instances where the limits were exceeded, and constant monitoring is recommended. This study establishes a baseline for radon concentration in the area and provides a basis for future studies.

Radiological assessment of radon in groundwater of the northernmost Kashmir Basin, northwestern Himalaya.

This study investigates the radon concentration in groundwater in Kupwara, the northernmost district of the Kashmir valley. It further assesses the annual effective dose experienced by the district's diverse population-infants, children, and adults-attributable to both inhalation of airborne radon released from drinking water and direct ingestion. In addition to this, the calculation of gamma dose rate is also carried out at each of the sampling site of radon. A portable radon-thoron monitor and a portable gamma radiation detector were respectively employed to estimate the activity concentration of radon in water samples and to measure the gamma dose rate. The radon concentration was found to exhibit variability from a minimum of 2.9BqL-1 to a maximum of 197.2BqL-1, with a mean of 26.3 BqL-1 and a standard deviation of 23.3BqL-1. From a total of 85 samples, 10.6% of the samples had radon activity concentrations exceeding the permissible limits of 40BqL-1 set by the United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiations as reported by UNSCEAR (Sources and effects of ionizing radiation, 2008) and only 1.2% of the samples have radon activity concentration exceeding the permissible limits of 100BqL-1 set by the World Health Organization as reported by WHO (WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2008). The mean of the annual effective dose due to inhalation for all age groups as well as the annual ingestion dose for infants and children, surpasses the World Health Organization's limit of 100μSvy-1 as reported by WHO (WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2008). The observed gamma radiation dose rate in the vicinity of groundwater radon sites ranged from a minimum of 138nSvh-1 to a maximum of 250nSvh-1. The data indicated no significant correlation between the dose rate of gamma radiation and the radon levels in the groundwater. Radon concentration of potable water in the study area presents a non-negligible exposure pathway for residents. Therefore, the judicious application of established radon mitigation techniques is pivotal to minimize public health vulnerabilities.

Assessment of Indoor and Water Radon Concentrations in Esenyurt and Beylikdüzü Districts of Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

The radon activity concentration measurements for indoor and tap water were studied in Esenyurt and Beylikdüzü districts of Istanbul Province, Turkey. The mean radon concentration value received from thirty-six passive radon detectors was obtained as 63.56 Bq/m3. The mean annual effective dose for indoor radon measurements is 1.60 mSv/y in this measurement period. The radon activity results of calculated tap water samples were under 0.8 Bq/L. The annual effective doses resulting from ingestion and inhalation were calculated to evaluate the health risk across various age groups. All radon measurement results, and the associated calculated data for ingestion and inhalation remained below the threshold values established by international organizations

Determining Radon Concentration in Water in Dong Pao Rare Earth Mine Area and Neighboring Residential Areas

Determining Radon Concentration in Water in Dong Pao Rare Earth Mine Area and Neighboring Residential Areas

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

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).

Development of low-radon ultra-pure water for the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a state-of-the-art liquid scintillator-based neutrino physics experiment under construction in South China. To reduce the background from external radioactivities, a water Cherenkov detector composed of 35 kton ultra-pure water and 2,400 20-inch photomultiplier tubes is developed. Even after specialized treatment, ultra-pure water still contains trace levels of radioactive elements that can contribute to the detector background. Among which 222Rn is particularly significant. To address this, an online radon removal system based on the JUNO prototype has been developed. By integrating micro-bubble generators to enhance degasser’s radon removal efficiency, the radon concentration in water can be reduced to 1 mBq/m3 level, meeting the stringent requirements of JUNO. Additionally, a highly sensitive online radon concentration measurement system capable of detecting concentrations ∼1 mBq/m3 has been developed to monitor the radon concentration in water. In this paper, the details regarding both systems will be presented.

Prediction of the radon concentration in thermal waters using artificial neural networks

Prediction of the radon concentration in thermal waters using artificial neural networks

Determination of radon concentration in bottled drinking water of Dhaka City

ABSTRACT Among all natural radiation sources, exposure to radon (222Rn) is considered as the most hazardous to human health. Recognizing the significance of water in preserving a healthy life style, assessing the 222Rn activity in drinking water is crucial. The 222Rn activity concentration was measured in 20 different branded bottled drinking waters purchased from Dhaka city using both alpha and gamma-ray spectrometry systems. Activity concentrations of 222Rn in bottled water obtained via RAD7 detector varied from 0.1 ± 0.02 Bq/L to 0.42 ± 0.01 Bq/L with an average value of 0.26 ± 0.02, while the value varied from 0.12 ± 0.01 Bq/L to 0.52 ± 0.31 Bq/L with an average value of 0.29 ± 0.09 by HPGe detector. The obtained results show lower concentrations when compared with other studies around the world as well as the US-EPA reference level of 11.1 Bq l−1 or 300 pCi l−1. The total annual effective dose calculated for different age groups and internal organ doses were found below the action level recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv y−1) and ICRP (3–10 mSv y−1), due to 222Rn, 3H and 40K in drinking water. Based on the obtained radon concentration and concomitant dose values, this study suggested negligible health hazards due to the consumption of bottled drinking water in Bangladesh. The results of this study could serve as a reference data for future studies in the area and beyond.

Radon in water from private wells and its contribution to internal exposure of population in rural areas at Toplica region, Southern Serbia

The results presented in this paper are part of the investigating of radon the concentrations from natural sources in the Toplica region. The results refer only to the radon concentrations in water from private captured wells at 12 locations. Radon concentration in water was measured by alpha spectrometry using the RAD 7 - RAD H2O system. The range of radon concentration is from (2.81.2) to (76.04.0) kBq/m3 , and the contribution of radon released from water to the air in the premises was in range (0.8±0.3) to (22.81.2) Bq/m3 . The annual effective doses of inhaled and ingested radon were determined, the mean values were (114.814.8) and (3.20.3) mSv/y.

Preliminary studies on radon concentration in CO2-rich mineral waters of the Elbrus area (Caucasus, Russia)

The geological and geochemical conditions as well as radon concentrations of ten manifestations of СО2-rich waters in the Elbrus area are considered in this paper. Also, content of uranium and thorium were measured in waters and in host rocks. The data were compared with chemical and isotopic composition of associated gases. It is established that water bearing rocks are classified into rocks of low and normal radioactivity. The contents of uranium (<1.37 μg/L) and thorium (<0.3 μg/L) in the water are low. Measurements of radon concentrations in water and gas flux of mineral springs in the Elbrus area indicate that most of them are weakly radioactive (6–33 Bq/L, 25-350 Bq/m3, respectively). The CO2-rich mineral waters of the Tyrnyauz exhibit the highest level of radioactivity (33 Bq/L) within the Elbrus area. Isotopical gas studies have shown that within the Elbrus region there is a connection with the deep horizons of the Earth's crust, from which various fluids (water and gases) can rise to the surface. Although Rn values are low and cannot be used for medical purposes, natural objects with similar characteristics can be used to observe the state of the geological environment (e.g. earthquakes) and as natural laboratories to establish the mechanisms of deep gas migration to the surface.

Adsorption’s regularities of radionuclides on adsorbents from solutions

The object of research: The object of research is the uranium isotopes were found in the soil of the locations of numerous thermal and cold springs in the Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan in the same proportions as in natural uranium deposits.
 Investigated problem: Uranium isotopes were transferred from soil samples to solutions. İnvestigated problem of scientific work is study of regularities of adsorption of uranium isotopes from solutions on the surfaces of various adsorbents.
 The main scientific results: It is defined high adsorption properties of DOWEX HCR granular elastomer, activated carbon and expanded clay on the result of researches. The activation’s energy of desorption of uranium isotopes from the surface of adsorbents were determined. Relatively low values (22.1–26.3 kJ/mol) of the activation’s energy of desorption of uranium isotopes from the surface of adsorbents indicate the absence of the chemical nature of sorption and the presence of only weak van der Waals forces between the absorbed isotopes and the surface of the adsorbents.
 The area of practical use of the research results: The regularities of adsorption of uran isotopes on adsorbent masses from aqueous solutions can be used as an original cleaning method of the drain water of the physical stage of crude oil refining or other radiochemical processes to the norms for waste water.
 Innovative technological product: It was determined based on the research, that the concentration of radon in the waters of most springs of the “Istisu” deposit is below the regulatory permissible value (60 Bq/l), which indicates the suitability of these spring waters for use in medical treatment procedures.
 Scope of the innovative technological product: It is planned to resume (prevented more than 40 years ago due to global regional problems) the production of the original trademark – “Istisu” medicinal water, with the concentration of radon below the standard value. Considering the two-fold decrease in radon concentration in water over four days, the waters of the individual sources examined, with a 100-fold high radon content, after a certain time (several months) can also be used for use in medical procedures, which allows their transportation to large distances

Radon concentration in spring water as an indicator of seismic activity: a case study of the Muzaffarabad Fault in Pakistan.

Radon and its progenies found in water indicate the existence of seismically active faults in the region. However, exposure to high levels of radon can also result in radiation-related health risks. This study focuses on radon-based active tectonic studies along the Muzaffarabad Fault in the core of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS), NW Himalayas, Pakistan. In this study, spring water samples were collected along roadside of Jhelum Valley and in close proximity to the Muzaffarabad Fault in Pakistan using Radon Thoron Monitor (RTM1688-2). The results of the study showed that the radon concentrations in the water samples ranged from 1.895 to 17.097 Bq/l. The study found that the highest radon concentration was observed in the samples collected closest to the fault, while the lowest concentration was observed in the samples collected further away. The statistical analysis between the radon concentration and the distance from the fault showed a strong inverse relationship (R2=0.73). The study also found that 68% of the sampling sites had radon concentrations that exceeded the maximum contamination level (MCL) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The higher radon concentrations in the springs water suggest the probability of earthquake, which in turn poses potential health risks for the local population. The findings suggest that the measurement of radon concentration in water can be used as a tool for identifying seismically active faults in the region.

Radon (Rn-222) concentration in ground waters of Bokaro District, Jharkhand, India

Radon (Rn-222) concentration in ground waters of Bokaro District, Jharkhand, India

The JUNO water Cherenkov detector system

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a 20 kton liquid scintillator detector with the primary physics goal of the neutrino mass ordering determination. The detector will be built in a laboratory 650-m underground. The pool is filled with 34 kton ultrapure water outside the central detector as a water Cherenkov detector for cosmic muon detection. 2400 MCP-PMTs detect the water Cherenkov light produced by cosmic muons. The inner surface of the water veto is covered with a Tyvek reflector to increase the light collection efficiency. A water system is used for water purification and circulation to maintain high water quality for optimal detector performance. A set of radon removal equipment will be integrated with the water system to reduce the radon-induced background in the central detector. Based on prototype studies, the radon concentration in water could be reduced to less than 10 mBq/m3. The cosmic muon detection efficiency of the water Cherenkov detector can reach 99.5%. With this veto system, the cosmic muon-induced fast neutron background can also be reduced to the level of about ∼0.1/day level.

Determination of the radiation dose from radon ingestion and inhalation in different types of drinking water samples collected from Bethlehem province –Palestine

The objective of this study is to investigate the levels of radon gas and increase public awareness of its hazards to health in Bethlehem governorate- Palestine. The concentrations of radon-222 and radium- 226 in 79 different types of water samples were measured. The average values of radon and radium concentrations in tap water, rainwater, groundwater, and mineral water samples were 0.93 Bq/ℓ and 45.5 Bq/kg, 1.01 Bq/ℓ and 49.3 Bq/kg, 1.21 Bq/ℓ and 59.3 Bq/kg, and 0.60 Bq/ℓ and 29.2 Bq/kg, respectively. All the measured radon concentrations in the collected samples were within the limit of 11 Bq/ℓ established by UNSCEAR in 1982. The annual effective doses for ingestion and inhalation due to radon in water were calculated for adults, children, and infants using parameters introduced by UNSCEAR in 2000. The results show that there is no significant risk to public health from radon inhalation or ingestion through drinking water in the study region.

Assessing radonotherapy effectiveness and modulated steroidogenesis in experimental chronic endometritis model

Aim: to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and modulated steroidogenesis after radon therapy in experimental chronic endometritis model.Materials and Мethods. A therapeutic effect related to radon mineral waters was studied experimentally. The water radon concentration was 5.4–6.2 nCi/dm3. The experimental endometritis was induced in laboratory Wistar line rats (n = 40) inoculated with intra-uterine self-fecal suspension. Experimental group animals (n = 10) received a wide-spectrum antibiotic Ceftriaxone within 7 days followed by applying 10 procedures of radon therapy one a day and from day 41, the first procedure lasting 5 minutes, the second – 8 minutes, the third – 10 minutes, with all other procedures – for 15 minutes. Comparison group I animals (n = 10) received antibacterial therapy, radon therapy and 10 procedures of peloid therapy with natural salt-saturated medium sulfide silt therapeutic mud according to a radon therapy regimen. Сomparison group II (n = 10) received antibacterial and peloid therapy according to comparison group I regimen. Control group (n = 10) received no treatment. Inflammatory signs were assessed by endometrium histology study. The venous steroid hormones levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results. In experimental vs. control group, it was found that endometrial diffuse infiltrate was of lower density comprising 125.4 ± 8.1 vs. 180.7 ± 9.0 immunocompetent cells (by 30.7%; p = 0.002), whereas in comparison group I, density of inflammatory infiltration was minimal (reduced by 88.7 % compared to control group; p < 0.001) and reached 20.5 ± 1.8 cells. In the experimental group as well as comparison groups I and II vs. control group, a significant increased level of serum progesterone was observed after treatment (p = 0.008). When using a radon therapy in experimental group, it resulted in a more prominent rise in progesterone level compared to peloid therapy in comparison group II. Radon balneotherapy was found in main control group to elicit a significant declined estradiol level (p = 0.008), but not in comparison groups I and II featured with no significant change in estradiol level compared to control group.Conclusion. Radon therapy exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in experimental chronic endometritis model. Radon therapy combined with peloid therapy has a potentiated effect. The use of radon balneotherapy is accompanied by significantly increased progesterone and decreased estradiol level suggesting to conduct clinical trials for confirming its effectiveness in patients with reproductive dysfunction including diseases accompanied by hyperestrogenism.

Public exposure in the Orenburg region due to natural sources of ionizing radiation. Part 2: Doses to the population of the eastern districts of the Orenburg region

The paper presents the estimated doses to the population of six eastern districts of the Orenburg region, Russia, based on the results of a comprehensive radiation survey conducted in 2019 in 34 settlements with previously found elevated levels of activity concentration of natural radionuclides in tap water from groundwater sources of drinking water supply. It is shown that the average individual annual effective dose due to all natural sources of ionizing radiation in 18 of 34 settlements corresponds to ‘elevated level’ of exposure due to natural sources according to established classification (from 5 to 10 mSv/year), and in another 7 settlements to ‘high level’ (over 10 mSv/year) with radon being the main contributor to the dose. Four settlements of Kvarkensky and Adamovsky districts, where the highest indoor radon concentrations had been found, were selected for a detailed survey, which included measurements of density of radon flux from the soil, radon concentration in soil gas, activity concentration of natural radionuclides in samples of building materials and in soil samples, and activity concentration of radon in tap water from groundwater sources of drinking water supply. Results of the detailed survey proved that the main source of radon in the buildings was the soil gas infiltration; compared to it, the contribution of waterborne radon release was insignificant.

Design of intermittent continuous measurement of radon concentration in water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the maximum contaminant level limit for radon concentration in drinking water as 11.1 Bq L−1. A new device based on the bubbling method with a 290 mL sample bottle was designed for intermittent continuous measurement of water radon concentration. A STM32 is used to control the switch of the water pump and the valves. The Water-Radon-Measurement software written in C# is to connect RAD7 and calculate the water radon concentration automatically.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF RADON CONCENTRATION IN BOREHOLE WATERS; CORRELATION TO GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS KATSINA STATE, NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Radon in borehole water serves as a source of natural radioactivity exposure through indoor air. Determination of naturally occurring radionuclides concentration in ground and surface waters is useful as a contribution to environmental health studies. In this research, statistical analysis of radon concentration in (borehole) water was conducted in Katsina state. The aim of this study is to analyse statistically the concentration of radon in borehole water in Katsina state and to establish a possible relationship between radon activity concentration in borehole water and underlying rock types. A total of 110 water samples were collected and analysed using Tri-carb 1000 Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University. The overall average concentration of 222Rn was found to be 69 ± 3 Bql-1 with geological formations, G8 and G7 having the highest and lowest concentrations with values of 75 ± 10 Bql-1 and 57 ± 4 Bql-1 respectively, which are higher than the world average values of 10 Bql-1 set by WHO and 11.1 Bql-1 set by USEPA. The results showed that radon concentrations are clearly correlated to rock types with acidic intrusive rocks associated with values which sedimentary rocks are associated with lower concentrations.