Radon Concentration In Water Samples Research Articles

An Overview of the Measurements of Primordial Radionuclide Concentrations in Soil and Radon Concentrations in Water Samples

Radiation physics has significantly improved health science, revealing the impact of radioactive materials on humans. These contaminants damage soil and water, leading to health issues like stomach, lung, and leukemia. Radon, a byproduct, poses a significant threat to human health, particularly lung and stomach cancer. Identifying radioactive soil sites is crucial for assessing health concerns among agriculture and construction workers, as natural radionuclides can cause radiological damage. Monitoring these materials can help to assess exposure-related health risks. The goal of this review is to overview and consolidate the works executed between 2007 and 2024 in several countries, including Romania, Turkey, Jamaica, Nigeria, Jordan, Serbia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, China, Brazil, Sudan, India, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Pakistan, Qatar, and Yemen. Articles commonly employ (HPGe), RAD-7, and CR-39 techniques to measure primordial radionuclides and radon levels. The latest analysis revealed that Nigeria has a significantly higher average radon measurement of 36.1 Bq/L in its drinking water, above the global benchmark threshold of 11.1 Bq/L. The article also, reviews primordial radionuclides in soil research articles in 10 nations. Serbia has the highest 226Ra and 40K soil Bq/kg, which exceeded standards of 32, and 420 Bq/kg of 226Ra and 40K, respectively, while Turkey and Jordan have the lowest values. India has the highest 232Th, and health and safety concerns are addressed. This review work shows that naturally occurring background radiation from radionuclides in soil and radon concentrations in water samples typically has a substantial health impact, posing a major radiation risk to the residents of certain areas. Consequently, our analysis showed that residents should avoid some areas due to radiological hazards. Finally, this review evaluates and elucidates the several factors that influence the elevated and reduced levels of radon in consumption water and the primordial radionuclides activity in soil samples in each country.

Assessment of environmental radioactivity concentration and effective dose rates from radon gas exposure from water samples in Gezira State, Sudan.

This study aims to estimate the radon concentration and annual effective dose rate from water samples in Gezira State, Sudan. The study used 26 samples from various locations and analyzed them using a RAD7 electronic radon detector and RAD-H2O accessory (Durridge Co., USA). The effective dose rates received by individuals were estimated based on ingestion, inhalation, and age group (infants, children, and adults). The radon concentration in water samples ranged from (1.55±0.13 to 18.38±3.05) Bq.l-1, with a mean value of 7.68±1.07 Bq.l-1. The effective dose rates reserved by radon released from water to indoor air ranged from (3.87±0.32 to 45.89±7.62) Sv.y-1 with a mean value of 19.17±2.68 Sv.y-1. The effective dose rates due to ingestion, inhalation, and the total annual effective dose rate were found to range from (3.80±0.32 to 45.03±7.47; 3.91±0.33 to 46.32±7.69 and 7.70±0.65 to 91.35±15.16) Sv.y-1respectively, with mean values of (18.81±2.63; 19.34±2.71 and 38.15±5.34) Sv.y-1 respectively. Meanwhile, the calculated annual effective dose rates for infants, children, and adults have ranges of (16.28±1.37to 192.99±32.03; 10.85±0.91 to 128.66±21.35 and 7.75±0.65 to 91.90±15.25) Sv.y-1 respectively, with mean values of (80.60±11.27; 53.73±7.51and 38.38±5.37) Sv.y-1 respectively. The study shows that 23.1% of the samples exceeded the maximum contamination level, with 76.9% below the USEPA's maximum contaminant level of 11.1 Bq.l-1. All samples (100%) showed radon below the WHO and EU's reference level of 100 Bq.l-1. The overall radiation dose due to radon from water increased with age and water consumption rates, but was significantly lower than the UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit of 103 Sv.y-1(1mSv.y-1). The radiation dose rate received by the bronchial epithelium via inhalation was about double the value if compared to stomach walls via ingestion. The findings were compared to other studies.

Toxicity of Radon-222 in Groundwater across Keana in Nasarawa, Nigeria

The most common supply of freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic uses is groundwater; however, because of increased radon concentrations brought on by mining activities, its quality is still a severe concern. Using a liquid scintillation detector, this study investigated the radon content, its related toxicity, and its risk to human health in the groundwater of the Keana in Nasarawa, Nigeria. Ten (10) borehole samples and five (5) well samples totaling fifteen (15) groundwater samples were taken. The results showed that the average radon concentration in water samples from Keana was 2.25 Bq/L. The mean annual effective dosage (ingestion) for adults and children in Keana was 0.016 mSv/y and 0.027 mSv/y, respectively. In Keana, the additional lifetime cancer risk per adult was 5.65 × 10–5, and per child, it was 8.79 × 10–5. The study’s radon concentration was lower than the benchmark of 11.1 Bq/L established in 1991 by the Nigerian Standard Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The results of this study indicate that the level of radon is safe; as a result, people can continue farming and other activities. To reduce the risk of cancer, however, more research could be done in the area. Further research should be done by looking at additional sources in the study area in order to cover the entire zone. Further investigation should be carried out both during the dry and wet seasons because radon concentrations in groundwater alter over time due to dilution by recharge from rainfall.

Estimation of Annual Effective Dose due to Radon Concentration in Water Samples of Moga District of Northern Punjab, India

Estimation of Annual Effective Dose due to Radon Concentration in Water Samples of Moga District of Northern Punjab, India

Determination of radon gas concentrations 222Rn in water samples of Rivers and ground wells in Basrah Governorate, Iraq

In this study, 52 samples were collected from natural water taken from selected areas from (Rivers, groundwater wells) in Basrah Governorate-Southern Iraq for the period from February - April 2020, to determine the concentrations of the radon gas (222Rn) emitted from the selected and newborn samples of the radioactive element Radium 226Ra located in the series of uranium 238U and calculate the annual effective dose. Solid state Nuclear Track Detectors SSNTDs have been used, a long-term passive measurement method for the emission of (α particles) with the CR-39 detectors, LR-115typeII and a method for measuring the activity with a fast electronic device called RAD7. The results of the study showed that the lowest concentration of radon gas in samples of River water was 196 ±12 Bq.m-3 was in the sample No. W13 water of Garma River, and that the largest concentration was 16217 ±97 Bq.m-3 sample No. W9 from Al Khoura River. As for the radon gas concentration in groundwater wells, its highest concentration reached 22415 ±143 Bq.m-3 in sample No. W36 from Aldawajin well-2, and the lowest concentration was 682 ±46 Bq.m-3 in sample No. W24 in a well at Al-Barjisiah and the general average of radon gas concentration in all the study samples was 7320 Bq.m-3, the annual effective dose of water was estimated and it was found that the highest value was 1.136 mSv.y-1 in sample No. W36 and this value falls outside the internationally approved limit By the World Health Organization WHO, 0.1 mSv.y-1 In general. It was found that radon concentrations in water samples of Rivers and groundwater wells selected from Basrah Governorate-Southern Iraq falls within the limits of the permissible value of 11000 Bq.m-3 for surface water and 20000Bq.m-3 for groundwater wells, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency EPA, with the exception of some samples of Rivers and underground wells, which have recorded values higher than that value, and they may pose a risk on the health of farmers in those areas.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Uranium and Radon in Groundwater from the Goesan Area of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt (OMB), Korea

Uranium and radon concentrations in groundwater from the Goesan area of the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt (OMB), central Korea, whose bedrock is known to contain the highest uranium levels in Korea, were analyzed from 200 wells. We also measured the uranium concentrations in the bedrock near the investigated wells to infer a relationship between the bedrock geology and the groundwater. The five geologic bedrock units in the Goesan area consist of Cretaceous granite (Kgr), Jurassic granite (Jgr) and three types of metasedimentary rocks (og1, og2, and og3). The percentages of the groundwater samples over 30 μg/L (maximum contaminant level, MCL of US EPA) were 2.0% of the 200 groundwater samples; 12% of Kgr and 1.8% of Jgr exceeded the MCL, respectively. Overall, 16.5% of the 200 groundwater samples exceeded 148 Bq/L (alternative maximum contaminant level, AMCL of US EPA); 60.0% of Kgr and 25.0% of Jgr exceeded the AMCL, but only 0% of og1, 7.9% of og2, and 2.6% of og3 exceeded the value, respectively. No direct correlation was found between uranium concentration and radon concentration in water samples. Radon has a slightly linear correlation with Na (0.31), Mg (−0.30), and F (0.36). However, uranium behavior in groundwater was independent of other components. Based on thermodynamic calculation, uranium chemical speciation was dominated by carbonate complexes, namely the Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq) and CaUO2(CO3)32− species. Although uraniferous mineral phases designated as saturation indices were greatly undersaturated, uranium hydroxides such as schoepite, UO2(OH)2 and U(OH)3 became possible phases. Uranium-containing bedrock in OMB did not significantly affect radioactive levels in the groundwater, possibly due to adsorption effects related to organic matter and geochemical reduction. Nevertheless, oxidation prevention of uranium-containing bedrock needs to be systematically managed for monitoring the possible migration of uranium into groundwater.

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Radon Concentrations in Environmental Water from Okinawa Island, Southwestern Part of Japan.

In this study, to get a better understanding in characterizing groundwater and ensure its effective management, the radon concentrations in water samples were measured through Ryukyu limestone in southern Okinawa Island, Japan. Water samples were collected from a limestone cave (Gyokusendo cave, dropping water) and two springs (Ukinju and Komesu, spring water), and the radon concentrations were measured by liquid scintillation counters. The radon concentrations in the samples from the Gyokusendo cave, and Ukinju and Komesu springs were 10 ± 1.3 Bq L−1, 3.2 ± 1.0 Bq L−1, and 3.1 ± 1.1 Bq L−1, respectively. The radon concentrations showed a gradually increasing trend from summer to autumn and decreased during winter. The variation of radon concentrations in the dripping water sample from the Gyokusendo cave showed a lagged response to precipitation changes by approximately 2–3 months. The estimated radon concentrations in the dripping water sample were calculated with the measured radon concentrations from the dripping water obtained during the study period. Based on our results, groundwater in the Gyokusendo cave system was estimated to percolate through the Ryukyu limestone in 7–10 days, and the residence time of groundwater in the soil above Gyokusendo cave was estimated to be approximately 50–80 days. This work makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of groundwater processes in limestone aquifers, which is essential for ensuring groundwater sustainability.

Assessment of radon concentration in groundwater within Ogbomoso, SW Nigeria

The study is aimed at investigating the level of radon and to determine the health effect connected to radon in drinking water. A total of thirty (30) water samples were randomly investigated in Ogbomoso using an active electronic device RAD 7, produced by Durridge Company USA. The radon concentrations within the study area vary from 0.60 to 2.64 Bq L−1, with the mean value of 1.86 Bq L−1. The committed annual effective doses due to ingestion vary from 6.25 × 10−3 to 1.93 × 10−2 mSv y−1, with mean values of 0.02 mSv y−1. The radon concentrations in water samples of Ogbomoso are lower than the threshold as set by both United States Environmental and Protection Agency, and European Commission of 11 and 100 Bq L−1 respectively.

Assessment of the Annual Effective dose of Bottled Mineral Waters Using Closed Can Technique

Water is the most important substance for life. Mineral waters are widely used as drinking water, and so that, it is important to determine the radon levels, and its risk in drinking water for public health and radiation protection. Radon concentration has been measured in the bottled natural mineral water samples commercially available in the Egyptian local market, using closed can technique. Radon concentration in water samples ranged from 0.93 - 6.89 Bql-1 and total annual effective dose ranged from 3.49 - 25.93 µSvy-1. The results indicate that radon concentrations in water samples lower than the recommended limit 11.1BqL-1 by EPA, and the annual effective dose of the samples are lower than the permissible international limit by EPA and WHO. The obtained results indicate that there is no significant public radiological risk related to radon ingested with drinking water in the present study.

Radon in water standard samples for intercomparison experiments

Radon (Rn-222) is the heaviest noble radioactive gas which is created during the alpha decay of radium (Ra-226), the natural element present in the environment, mainly in rock and soil. Due to radon solubility, it may be found in drinking water, thus being an additional hazardous factor for the population. That is the major reason why it is important to be able to determine its concentration in water with reasonable accuracy and well known uncertainty.The aim of this paper is to thoroughly investigate the procedure of preparation of radon-in-water standards, which can be used in intercomparison measurements. The idea of the method is pumping radon gas of precisely determined activity through the well known water volume. The work focuses in particular on studying the influence of some factors on the procedure correctness, such as duration of relaxation time, the time of pumping radon from the source to chamber, the level of samples collection in water volume.The setup allowed acquisition of 10 ml water samples, radon concentration values obtained in them ranged from approximately 0.5 Bq/l to 12 Bq/l, with uncertainties of about 17% to 4–5%, respectively.The measured radon concentrations in water samples were generally lower than the calculated ones (systematic difference of about 13%), but the relation between these two quantities was linear in the whole range of measured values. It was also observed that there was no difference in results between the samples collected at different levels in the water volume. Furthermore, the optimal relaxation time was established. Therefore, the proposed method can be successfully used in radon-in-water intercomparison experiments.

Radon Concentration Measurements and Risk Assessments Around Uludağ Mountain (Bursa, Turkey)

The radon concentrations in the groundwater, tap water samples and soil gases of the residential areas and forested lands of Uludag were measured to research on the dynamics of low-high radon levels over the various rocks types found in this area. Besides, the annual effective doses for groundwater and tap waters were calculated and compared with the recommended dose value by the World Health Organization (WHO) to evaluate the health risk of inhabitant. The radon concentrations in water samples for the wet and dry seasons were found in the ranges of 0.17 ± 0.09 - 195.64 ± 6.87 Bq l -1 (median value of 5.13 Bq l -1 ) and 0.04 ± 0.01 - 199.24 ± 6.54 Bq l -1 (median value of 4.33 Bq l -1 ), respectively. Elevated radon concentrations were measured in the waters draining through igneous rocks (granite and granodiorite), known as uranium-rich rocks. The average radon and thoron concentrations of soil gases were found to be in the ranges of 0.65 ± 0.01 – 199.66 ± 3.27 kBq m -3 and 4.36 ± 0.36 – 245.9 ± 7.26 kBq m -3 , respectively. The highest and lowest radon and thoron concentrations in soil gases were observed in the granitic area and in scree region, respectively.

Measurement of 222Rn concentration in drinking water in the environs of Thirthahalli taluk, Karnataka, India

The dissolved radon concentration in water samples collected from various aquifers in and around Thirthahalli taluk was measured by employing active technique through Scintillation Radon Monitoring system. The measured radon concentration lies in the range of 0.37 ± 0.05 Bq/l to 87.02 ± 2.11 Bq/l. The resulting annual effective radiation dose to the public, who consume this water, lies in the range of 1.01μSvy−1 to 237.56 μSvy−1. However, no significant change in the radon concentration with respect to seasonal variation was observed in majority of the sample. Few samples show higher radon concentration during summer season and lower concentration in rainy season. All these results are presented in this paper.

Assessment of Radiation Dose from Exposure to Radon in Drinking Water from Western Haryana, India

The radon concentration has been determined in 95 groundwater samples collected from 28 villages/towns in the Hisar district of Haryana, India. The measurements were performed by RAD7, an electronic solid-state alpha detector manufactured by Durridge Company Inc. The measured mean radon concentration in water samples ranged between 1.4 ± 0.3 and 13.3 ± 4.1 Bq l−1. The mean radon concentrations from three locations exceeded the maximum contamination level (MCL) of 11 Bq l−1 recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency. The annual effective dose for ingestion and inhalation was also evaluated in this research. The total annual effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in drinking water ranged from 13.7 to 130.3 µSv year−1.

Radon levels in drinking water and soil samples of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan, India

Radon causes lung cancer when it is trapped inside the lungs. Therefore it is very important to analyze the radon concentration in water and soil samples. In the present investigation, water and soil samples collected from 20 different locations of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Northern Rajasthan, India have been studied by using RAD7. The measured radon concentration in water samples varies from 0.5 to 15Bql−1. The observed values lie within the safe limit as set by UNSCEAR, 2008. The total annual effective dose due to radon in water corresponding to all studied locations has been found to be well within the safe limit of 0.1mSvy−1 as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO, 2004) and European Council (EU, 1998). The measurements carried out on radon concentration in soil samples reveal a variation from 1750 to 9850Bqm−3. These results explore that the water of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts is suitable for drinking purpose without posing any health hazard but soil hazards depend upon its permeability and radon concentration.

Measurement of Radon Gas Concentrations in Tap Water Samples for Thi-Qar Governorate Using Nuclear Track Detector (CR-39)

In the present work, we have measured the radon gas concentrations in tap water samples are taken directly from drinking tap water in sites houses being carried in Thi-Qar governorate by using nuclear track detector (CR-39). The results of measurements have shown that the highest average radon concentration in water samples is found in AL-Refai region which is equal to (0.223 ± 0.03 Bq/L), while the lowest average radon gas concentration is found in AL-Fajr region which is equal to (0.108 ± 0.01 Bq/L), with an average value of (0.175 ± 0.03 Bq/L). The highest value of annual effective dose (AED) in tap water samples is found in AL-Refai region, which is equal to (0.814 μSv/y), while the lowest value of (AED) is found in AL-Fajr region which is equal to (0.394 μSv/y), with an average value of (0.640 ± 0.1 μSv/y). The present results have shown that radon gas concentrations in tap water samples are less than the recommended international value (11.1 Bq/L). There for tap water in all the studied sites in Thi-Qar governorate is safe as for as radon concentration being concerned.

Estimation of annual effective dose from radon concentration along Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in Garhwal Himalaya

Indoor radon and thoron concentration plays a vital role in the total effective dose in the indoor environments. In the present study, the measurement of indoor radon, soil gas radon concentration and the drinking water radon concentration was carried out in Rajpur area of Dehradun valley located near by the geological fault line named Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). The measurement was carried out using RAD-7, a solid state detector with its special accessory. The indoor radon concentration varies from 35 to 150 Bqm−3 with an average value of 85 Bqm−3. The soil-gas radon concentration varies from 2 to 12.3 kBqm−3 with an average value of 6.5 kBqm−3. Radon concentration in water samples varies from 1.7 to 57.7 kBqm−3 with an average value of 20 kBqm−3. These results are helpful for estimation of annual effective dose, ingestion dose and inhalation doses. The annual effective dose varies from 0.88 to 3.78 mSvy−1 with an average value of 2.13 mSvy−1. The annual ingestion dose due to drinking water was found to vary from 0.36 to 7.91 mSvy−1 with an average value of 3.92 mSvy−1. The annual inhalation dose was found to vary from 0.0042 to 0.1454 mSvy−1 with an average of 0.0504 mSvy−1.

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.

Measurement of radon gas concentration in water and soil samples in AL-Najaf governorate by using nuclear track detector (CR-39)

The radon gas concentration in environmental samples soil and water of selected regions in Al-Najaf governorate was measured by using alpha-emitters registrations which are emitted form radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The first part is concerned with the determination of radon gas concentration in soil samples, results of measurements indicate that the highest average radon concentration in soil samples was found in (Al-Moalmen) region which was (100.0±7.0 Bq/m3), while the lowest average radon concentration was found in (Al-Askary) region which was (38.5±4.7 Bq/m3), with an average value of (64.23±14.9 Bq/m3) ,the results show that the radon gas concentrations in soil is below the allowed limit from (ICRP) agency which is (200 Bq/m3), while the radon exhalation rate (RER) ranged from (35.23-91.52 µBq/m2h), and average value which was (58.77±13.6 µBq/m2h). The second part is concerned with the determination of radon gas concentration in samples of tap water obtained from networks in dwellings in Al-Najaf governorate, the results indicate that the highest average radon concentration in water samples was found in (Meassan) region which was (0.59±0.08 Bq/L), while the lowest average radon concentration was found in (Al-Jamhorah) region which was (0.16±0.04 Bq/L), with an average value of (0.36±0.1 Bq/L), the present results show that the radon gas concentrations in tap water is below the allowed limit from (ICRP) agency which is (0.5994 Bq/L), while the radon exhalation rate (RER) ranged from (2.15-0.58 ?Sv/y), and average value which was (1.28±0.31 ?Sv/y).

Measurement of radon gas concentration in water and soil samples in AL-Najaf governorate by using nuclear track detector (CR-39)

The radon gas concentration in environmental samples soil and water of selected regions in Al-Najaf governorate was measured by using alpha-emitters registrations which are emitted form radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The first part is concerned with the determination of radon gas concentration in soil samples, results of measurements indicate that the highest average radon concentration in soil samples was found in (Al-Moalmen) region which was (100.0±7.0 Bq/m3), while the lowest average radon concentration was found in (Al-Askary) region which was (38.5±4.7 Bq/m3), with an average value of (64.23±14.9 Bq/m3) ,the results show that the radon gas concentrations in soil is below the allowed limit from (ICRP) agency which is (200 Bq/m3), while the radon exhalation rate (RER) ranged from (35.23-91.52 µBq/m2h), and average value which was (58.77±13.6 µBq/m2h). The second part is concerned with the determination of radon gas concentration in samples of tap water obtained from networks in dwellings in Al-Najaf governorate, the results indicate that the highest average radon concentration in water samples was found in (Meassan) region which was (0.59±0.08 Bq/L), while the lowest average radon concentration was found in (Al-Jamhorah) region which was (0.16±0.04 Bq/L), with an average value of (0.36±0.1 Bq/L), the present results show that the radon gas concentrations in tap water is below the allowed limit from (ICRP) agency which is (0.5994 Bq/L), while the radon exhalation rate (RER) ranged from (2.15-0.58 ?Sv/y), and average value which was (1.28±0.31 ?Sv/y).

Radon Emanation from Drinking Water Samples of Nineveh Province (IRAQ)

The study include measurements of radon concentration in water samples for a total of eleven selected locations from Nineveh province. The natural exposure method using CR-39 track detector and the sealed cuptechniquewere chosen for analysis of radon concentration. Radon content in water samples of the study area ranges from 17.4Bq/l in Talskuf to 36.1 Bq/l in Sad Al-Mosul with an average value 26.37 Bq/l, all measured 222Rn activity concentrations in water are below the European Commission recommended level for radon in drinking water of 100 Bq/l.The results of the annual effective dose ranged from 64µSv/y in Talskuf to 132 µSv/y in Sad Al-Mosul, the total annual effective dose in 54.54% locations of the studied area are found to be within the safe limit (0.1 mSv/year) recommended by World Health Organization and EU Council and 45.45% locations are exceeding the annual effective dose limit of 0.1 mSv/y.