Radon In Water Research Articles

Time variation of radon in tap water in locations of a Greek area with geological background for elevated radon-in-water concentrations and correlation study between radon, gross alpha, uranium, and radium concentrations

Background: Radon (222Rn), a naturally occurring radioactive gas, dissolves in water, and it can be found in elevated concentrations in public water supplies when water originates from ground sources in areas rich in uranium. An area of great interest for measuring radon-in-water is the Migdonia basin in Northern Greece due to its geological background and because all of its villages are supplied with water from boreholes.
 Objectives: The main aim of this paper was to study the time variation of radon in tap water activity concentration in nine villages of the Migdonia basin supplied with water from boreholes and to determine factors that may affect it. Radon in water correlation between the source (borehole) and the consumption point (tap) was studied for some villages. Also, the correlation among radon, gross alpha, beta, uranium (238U), and radium (226Ra) activity concentration in water was studied.
 Design and methods: Water samples were collected and measured for their radon activity concentration from 66 villages in the Migdonia basin in order to find places with relatively high radon concentrations. The time variation of radon-in-water was studied for villages that showed relatively high radon concentrations for 3–4 years (2018–2022). All samples were measured for their 222Rn activity concentration using gamma-ray spectrometry. Water samples were also analyzed for their gross alpha, beta, and uranium isotopes activity concentration.
 Results and conclusions: Average radon in tap water activity concentrations measured in the area ranged from background concentrations to 185 Bq L-1. The corresponding annual effective doses from waterborne radon inhalation using both UNSCEAR and ICRP dose conversion factors ranged from 0.01 to 0.466 mSv y-1 and from 0.02 to 0.868 mSv y-1, respectively, while radon ingestion annual effective doses varied from 0.007 to 0.324 mSv y-1. Time variation of radon activity concentration in tap water for villages supplied from one borehole or a constant number of boreholes showed relatively low standard deviations (<24%) at a coverage factor of k = 1. Those deviations are probably caused by the time variation of boreholes’ radon concentration and water demand changes. A significant decline in radon concentration from the source (borehole) to the consumption point (tap water) was observed. Therefore, sampling should be performed at the consumption point. However, knowing the supplying borehole concentration is useful as it determines the potential for radon in drinking water. No apparent correlation was found among radon, gross alpha, beta, uranium, and radium concentrations in water. However, in some cases, remedial actions (withdrawal of boreholes) for uranium concentration also decreased radon concentration.

Maximum recommended and allowable Radon-222 limits in water and air: Systematic review

Radon-222 is a radioactive gas that, when inhaled at high concentrations, can harm human health. However, there are several recommended and maximum allowable Radon-222 limits in water and air in the international community. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the maximum recommended and allowed Radon-222 limits in drinking water and indoor air in the international community, indicating the most referenced organizations in Radon-222 studies through a systematic review. The results indicate that there is variation of up to 1000% between limits established for Radon concentrations in the air indicated by ICRP and US EPA. For water, the maximum limit established by EURATOM is 90 times higher than that established by US EPA. Greater relevance regarding the presence of Radon-222 in the air was also evidenced, due to its potential to detach from various physical means, such as water agitation, its occurrence in building materials and its release by contaminated soil. Finally, it was also found that the limits imposed by US EPA for the presence of Radon-222 in water and air were the parameters most used for comparison in the scientific community and that about 80% of evaluated studies reported from one two sources that proposed Radon-222 limits in air and water.

ANALYSIS OF THE RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN NATURAL MINERAL AND TAP WATER USING LUCAS CELLS TECHNIQUE

The aims of this study were to determine the radon concentration in natural mineral and tap water and to estimate the resulting ingestion doses received by adults. Physical-chemical characteristics of water samples have also been investigated. In the last years have been an increase of water consumption of both, natural mineral and tap, many sources and producers being available on the market. Thus, the physical-chemical and radiologic parameters of water must be in compliance with the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). Thus, the study presents an assessment of the radioactivity due to 222Rn and 3H in several mineral natural water samples from the north region of Romania, but also in several tap water samples. The methods used were based on gamma spectrometry, gross alpha-beta measurements and beta spectroscopy, but also ICP-MS for chemical parameters. The results of this work showed that the geology and rock types clearly influence the water radon concentration. The radon concentration is lower in the water that passes through sedimentary rocks than that passing through granitic rocks. An important aspect of this work is to provide reliable information regarding radon and tritium concentrations. Radon concentration varied between 0.15±0.05 Bq/L and 11.35±2.97 Bq/L in the natural mineral water samples and between 0.17±0.05 Bq/L and 8.51±2.34 Bq/L in the tap water samples. An estimation of annual effective radiation dose based on the sample results was also made. Calculated values for ingestion dose due to regular consumption of water does not induce a health risk because of the intake of various radionuclides contained in the water. The maximum values being of 47.38 µSv/y. The determined values for the collected samples are below recommended reference levels, but more important aspect is that this study emphasise environmental sustainability in the investigated area.

Measurement of Radon Concentration in Water within Ojo Axis of Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: The problem of radon (Radon-222) in water is one of the daily health hazards faced by those in Ojo Axis, Nigeria. Therefore, continuous monitoring of radon contamination in different types of water is essential. In the present work, sixteen groundwater and surface-water samples (wells, boreholes, and sachets) were collected from six different locations within the Ojo Local Government area in Nigeria. The water samples collected were stored in 75 cl bottles that were already sterilized with distilled water to avoid contamination. Water samples were then taken to the laboratory for the analysis of radon levels using a RAD7, an active electronic device produced by the Durridge Company in the USA. The radon level in the water is higher than the safe limits of 11.1 Bq/L, as per EPA regulations, except for two sample points from the studied areas. The total annual effective doses from ingestion and inhalation for drinking and groundwater were higher than the safe limit of 0.1 mSv y−1 that is recommended by the World Health Organization and the European Union Commission. Conclusions: The obtained results underline the importance of the development and/or updating of databases regarding radon levels in drinking and groundwater in the Ojo Local Government area in Nigeria.

The use of radon baths in the rehabilitation of patients with osteochondrosis.

One of the most common methods of rehabilitation for this disease is balneotherapy. Radon therapy is one of the types of balneotherapy based on radon radiation (Rn) for therapeutic, prophylactic, and rehabilitation purposes. A significant number of authors report a positive effect of radon baths on the condition of patients with osteochondrosis. Some authors report the absence of a real therapeutic effect when using radon therapy. The work aimed at investigating the therapeutic efficacy of radon baths in patients suffering from osteochondrosis. We examined 40 patients with osteochondrosis of various parts of the spine with radicular syndrome. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 20 people with an equal number of men and women. The study group received a course of balneotherapy using radon water (general baths at a temperature of 34-36°C, duration 10-15 minutes, every other day, No. 10). The control group received balneotherapy using ordinary tap water in the same regimen to decrease placebo effects. Decreased pain and movement difficulties were observed only in the study group. These changes refer only to the spine but not to the joints of the extremities. Our studies have shown that using radon baths helps to reduce pain and increase the mobility of the spine in patients with osteochondrosis. These data substantiate the prospects for further research of this technique in the complex rehabilitation of osteochondrosis.

Ingestion/inhalation dose due to intake of 222Rn in the water of district Gurugram, Southern Haryana, India, measured by alpha scintillometry technique

ABSTRACT Radon in water has exposure to the population through ingestion and inhalation. In the present paper, radon levels in fifty-eight samples from different underground water sources (borewell, handpump, tap water, which are used for drinking purposes) and surface water sources (pond, canal) located in district Gurugram, Southern Haryana, India, measured. SMART RnDuo (having ZnS:Ag detector) based on alpha scintillometry technique was used for this purpose. The dissolved radon in water ranged from 1.1 to 15.2 BqL−1 with a mean value of 6.8BqL−1. Radon in drinking water samples was about six times higher than the surface water samples in district Gurugram. A trend of increase in radon level with an increase in source depth was observed. Annual effective doses due to ingestion (AEDing) and inhalation (AEDinh) were calculated for different age groups. Total annual effective doses due to AEDing and AEDinh are varied from 8.6 to 118.7µSv y−1 with a mean value of 53.1µSv y−1 for infants, 4.9 to 67.9µSv y−1 with a mean value of 30.3µSv y−1 for children, and 5.6 to 77.1µSv y−1 with a mean value of 34.5µSv y−1 for adults. Radon in water samples was found to be less than the guideline value of 100 BqL−1 recommended by the World Health Organization, indicating that water sources are suitable for use by the public and have no radiological hazards.

Preliminary Study on the Generating Mechanism of the Atmospheric Vertical Electric Field before Earthquakes

Precursor signals for earthquakes, such as radon anomalies, thermal anomalies, and water level changes, have been studied in earthquake prediction over several centuries. The atmospheric vertical electric field anomaly has been observed in recent years as a new and valuable signal for short-term earthquake prediction. In this paper, a physical mechanism of the atmospheric vertical electric field anomaly before the earthquake was proposed, based on which the Wenchuan earthquake verified the correctness of the model. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the variation of the radon concentration with height before the earthquake was used to simulate and calculate the ionization rates of radioactive radon decay products at different heights. We derived the atmospheric vertical electric field from −593 to −285 V/m from the surface to 10 m before the earthquake by solving the system of convection-diffusion partial equations for positive and negative particles. Moreover, negative atmospheric electric field anomalies were observed in both Wenjiang and Pixian before the Wenchuan earthquake on 12 May, with peaks of −600 V/m in Pixian and −200 V/m in Wenjiang. The atmospheric electric field data obtained from the simulation were shown to be in excellent concordance with the observed data of the Wenchuan earthquake. The physical mechanism can provide theoretical support for the atmospheric electric field anomaly as an earthquake precursor.

A new-designed system for continuous measurement of radon in water

On-line continuous monitoring of radon concentration in water is of great significance for its environmental application as a radioactive tracer, for example, as a potential precursor for earthquake forecast and volcanic eruption. To realize on-line continuous measurement on radon in complex water body, a compact measurement system mainly consisted of a simple degassing device and an electrostatic radon monitor is newly developed. The sensitivity of the measurement system is 73 ± 5 cph/(Bq/L), and the detection limit is 0.04 Bq/L with a 60-min cycle at 25 °C water temperature. Intercomparison measurements with RAD H2O were performed both in laboratory condition and in field, and consistent results within the error range were achieved. To test the developed measurement system, a continuous monitoring of radon concentration in water in the drainage tunnel of Mount Jinping was performed for 3 months. The arithmetic mean of radon concentration in water is 0.34 ± 0.09 Bq/L, varying in the range of 0.04–0.60 Bq/L during the period. Several rapid decreases of radon concentration in water were observed, which might be attributed to the increase of rainwater mixing in the drainage tunnel caused by heavy rainfall. The stability of long-term operation of the system enables it to be widely used in the field of radon in water as a tracer.

A comprehensive study of radon in drinking waters of Hanumangarh district and the assessment of resulting dose to local population.

Study of radon concentration in drinking water from different sources (groundwater and surface water) used across the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India, was done using scintillation-based detector. The concentration of radon in surface water varied from 0.12 to 2.07Bq/l with an average value of 0.62Bq/l and a standard deviation of 0.55Bq/l and in groundwater samples varied from 1.61 to 8.73Bq/l with an average value of 4.8Bq/l and a standard deviation of 2.24Bq/l. The ingestion and inhalation dose were calculated to assess the health risk for infants, children and adults. The resulting average annual effective dose has been found to be considerably lower than the recommended safe limit of 0.1 msv/y (WHO, In: Incorporating first and second addenda, third ed. WHO Press, Geneva. 3rd ed. World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland, 2008). It can be concluded that radon in water does not pose a significant radiological health risk to the population of the studied area.

Quantification of the dependence of the emanation of radon from water on the pH and temperature of water

Uranium- and thorium-series isotopes are able to dissolve in hot spring waters and decay into radon, which could potentially cause health risk of the public. Besides, several environmental investigations can be carried out by measuring radon concentrations in hot spring waters. Accordingly, the measurement of radon in hot spring water is a significant issue.A practical method for measuring radon in hot spring water was developed by using a silicon semiconductor detector, RAD-7. The overall effect of detection efficiency and radon leakage of the measuring system were examined to calibrate the measured concentration of radon in hot spring waters. In addition, the effect of water temperature and pH on emanation of radon from standard 226Ra solutions as well as that of the measuring time on precision of the measurement were investigated. The correlation among temperature, pH and emanation of radon was then obtained. Further, the established method was applied to in-situ measurement to investigate the concentration of radon in hot spring waters from different geological areas in Taiwan.According to the percent error of the measurement, the measuring time for environmental samples was set as 50 min. The overall effect of radon leakage and detection efficiency of the measuring system was estimated to be 99.19 ± 7.47% with a standard rock source of 222Rn from NIST. Standard sources of 222Rn were prepared from 226Ra standard solutions with different pH values. The 226Ra standard solutions were sealed and stand for 38 days in a 250 mL vial specific for the RAD-7. After measured by the WAT250 mode of the RAD-7, the data were measured as (52.5 ± 8.9)%∼(83.6 ± 11.0)% of the prepared concentration of 222Rn (from 226Ra). The emanation rate of 222Rn from standard solution under pH 1.44–9.07 was (53.2 ± 6.9)% ∼(84.3 ± 11.1)% and decreased with pH to a minimum value at 7.00. Moreover, the effect of temperature increases with pH. High correlated trend curves (r2 = 0.9829–0.9999) for 222Rn emanation rate versus pH under different temperature were obtained. A smooth curved surface fitted by the MATLAB for emanation rate of 222Rn was accordingly derived. The 222Rn concentrations in waters of the Beitou Hot Spring (acid-digestion sulfate spring on sedimentary rock strata), Wulai Hot Spring (sodium bicarbonate spring on metamorphic rock strata), Choshuitan (sodium bicarbonate spring on mudstone strata) and Zhaori Hot Spring (acid-digestion sulfate spring on andesite strata) were measured with RAD-7 by WAT250 for 50 min and then calibrated by 222Rn emanation rate estimated above, which were 215 ± 37 (Bq/m3), 6797 ± 1073 (Bq/m3), 2124 ± 577 (Bq/m3) and 26644 ± 2768 (Bq/m3).

Metrology aspects (sampling, storage, transportation, and measurement) of radon in water

Background: Radon can enter homes using water during normal household activities, and it contributes to increasing the radon concentration of the adjacent space. Because of its gaseous form, it can easily escape during one of the procedures preceding its measurement (sampling, transport, and storage) and during its measurement resulting in its underestimation, which could lead to an underestimated dose calculation.
 Objectives: This study focused on quantifying and evaluating radon losses during sampling, transporting, and storing radon in water samples. Also, in terms of measuring radon in water activity concentration, two emanometry methods were compared to the direct method of gamma-ray spectrometry.
 Design and Methods: In terms of sampling, two methods were examined and compared. Road transport effect on radon losses was studied by measuring the radon in water concentration of radon-rich samples before and after their transportation at different ambient temperatures. Different materials (PET, glass, aluminum) were examined for their radon tightness by repetitive measurements and interpolation of the recorded data. Also, the effect of ambient temperature (1 to 40°C) on radon losses was studied during the storage phase. To compare radon in water measuring methods, water from the original bottle was poured carefully into the different sample containers that each method requires and measured by each method.
 Results and Conclusions: Sampling is the factor that can cause the most significant radon losses. Radon tightness investigation of different materials showed no significant differences in their ability to preserve radon inside the container, as their fitting curves followed the literature radon decay curve. Ambient temperature (1 to 40 °C) did not appear to affect radon losses during the storage phase. Unlike the storage phase, significant radon losses were observed during road transport at ambient temperatures of 31°C and above. Therefore, measures should be taken to avoid radon losses for ambient temperatures of 31°C and above when road transport is considered (e.g., using thermally insulated boxes and cooling elements). From the comparison of the two emanometry methods with gamma-ray spectrometry, it was found that all methods provide equal results within standard uncertainties.

The Effect of Low Doses of Radon on Ghrelin and Glucose Levels in Rats with Multiple Low-Dose Streptozotoccin-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

AIM: The aim of our research was to identify the ghrelin concentration in experimental animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to study the effect of radon hormesis balneotherapy using natural thermal waters of Tskaltubo spring, practically, its effect on ghrelin and glucose metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the effect of radon in balneotherapy, group of experimental animals (multiple low doses streptozotocin-induced T2DM Wistar rats were used) went through the procedure of inhalation of radon by the Tskaltubo mineral water pool, once daily, during 10 days. In animals of the control groups, inhalation with radon was not used. The experimental group and the control group were brought from Tskaltubo to Tbilisi to the Ivane Beritashvili experimental biomedicine center, where the blood of the rats was analyzed. RESULTS: After radon inhalation therapy with Tskaltubo mineral water, a normalization of the ghrelin levels was observed in the experimental group and despite the different body weight, the levels were approximately the same and close to those of the control group. In the experimental group, ghrelin level normalization was accompanied by glycemia normalization. CONCLUSION: This research showed that Tskaltubo mineral water radon inhalation caused hormesis, which consequently decreased ghrelin levels in rodents with T2DM and obesity and the result was stable during 3 months. Ghrelin level stabilization positively influenced on glucose levels. The result of our experiment gives us a stimulus to continue future research to find more specific neurochemical mechanisms participating in radon hormesis processes and positively influencing on glucose levels and T2DM outcome.

Geochemistry of radon waters in the south of Siberia

The geochemical features of 22 deposits and manifestations of radon waters in the south of Siberia (some of them for the first time) are considered. The studied waters are very diverse in terms of gas and chemical composition, total mineralization, geochemical parameters of the environment, and temperature. Three groups of radon waters have been established according to the Eh value: oxidizing conditions, transitional and reducing. Due to the wide variety of waters in terms of chemical composition, some of the studied objects belong to several groups at once, for example, the Choigan natural complex, the Skalinsky, Novobibeevskoye, and Sedova Zaimka manifestations. The concentrations of natural radionuclides are (mg/dm): U (3.68∙10 - 1.40), Th (4.04∙10 - 2.16∙10). The activity of dissolved radon (Rn) varies from 4 to 2257 Bq/dm. The Th/U ratio varies from 2.63∙10 to 26, and its maximal values were detected in ultrafresh, thermal, alkaline waters with reductive geochemical medium in which thorium possesses increased migration capacity. Quite contrary, uranium migrates in the oxidative geochemical setting.

Validation of a method for measuring radon-222 in water using two-phase liquid scintillation counting according to the ISO/IEC 17025 criteria

Validation of a method for measuring radon-222 in water using two-phase liquid scintillation counting according to the ISO/IEC 17025 criteria

Groundwater discharge drives water quality and greenhouse gas emissions in a tidal wetland

Wetlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle as they can be sources or sinks for greenhouse gases. Groundwater discharge into wetlands can affect the water chemistry and act as a source of dissolved greenhouse gases, including CO2 and CH4. In this study, surface water quality parameters and CO2 and CH4 concentrations were evaluated in a tidal wetland (Hunter Wetlands National Park, Australia) using time series measurements. Radon (222Rn), a natural groundwater tracer, was used to investigate the role of groundwater as a pathway for transporting dissolved CO2 and CH4 into the wetland. In addition, water-to-air CO2 and CH4 fluxes from the wetland were also estimated. The results showed a high concentration of radon in wetland surface water, indicating the occurrence of groundwater discharge. Radon concentration had a strong negative relationship with water depth with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.7, indicating that tidal pumping was the main driver of groundwater discharge to the wetland. Radon concentration also showed a positive relationship with CO2 and CH4 concentrations (R2 = 0.4 and 0.5, respectively), while the time series data revealed that radon, CO2, and CH4 concentrations peaked concurrently during low tides. This implied that groundwater discharge was a source of CO2 and CH4 to the wetland. The wetland had an average water-to-air CO2 flux of 99.1 mmol/(m2·d), twice higher than the global average CO2 flux from wetlands. The average CH4 flux from the wetland was estimated to be 0.3 mmol/(m2·d), which is at the higher end of the global CH4 flux range for wetlands. The results showed that groundwater discharge could be an important, yet unaccounted source of CO2 and CH4 to tidal wetlands. This work has implications for tidal wetland carbon budgets and emphasizes the role of groundwater as a subsurface pathway for carbon transport.

Estimation of 238U and 232Th in soil and water of prominent fault region of Mizoram

The study investigates radon and thoron concentrations in soil and water at one of the most prominent faults in Mizoram state, India. The obtained isotope pair data were consequently used for estimating the uranium and thorium content of the region. An indigenously developed and calibrated ZnS(Ag) alpha based scintillation counter (Model: SMARTRnDuo, BARC, India) was deployed for assessing radon and thoron data. Thoron concentration was found to be higher than radon concentration in both soil and water. The isotope pair and their parent nuclei concentration in water were found to be higher than in soil. The uranium and thorium content in soil were estimated to be 17.5 and 22.6 Bqkg-1 respectively, but in water, they were estimated to be 41.6 and 124.8 Bqkg-1 respectively. Comparisons with global averages were also presented in detail and no radiological risk has been observed for the region. A continuous radon data was generated at Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram (India) for cross-analysis with data at Mat fault. It was observed that radon data of the two locations behave similarly during geophysical phenomena, indicating that the region was seismically active. No geophysical properties of thoron were observed.

Radon groundwater in a radon-prone area: possible uses and problems: an example from SW part of Kłodzko Valley, Sudetes, SW Poland

The paper describes research aimed at expanding scientific knowledge of radioactive isotope 222Rn occurrence in groundwaters flowing in crystalline rocks, including its spatial and temporal changes. The research, conducted in an area characterized by medium radon potential, was intended to determine the values of 222Rn activity concentration in groundwater in this type of areas. The 222Rn activity concentration in groundwaters discharged from investigated springs oscillated between 35.3 and 272.0 Bq/L. The authors discovered possible prevalence of radon groundwaters in areas with medium radon potential, which is the reason why all groundwaters intended for human consumption or household use in such areas should be subject to obligatory monitoring of 222Rn activity concentration. In the event of identifying occurrence of waters with 222Rn activity concentration of at least 100 Bq/L, their purification by removing radon is necessary before they are supplied to a water distribution network. At the same time, the research area can be regarded as an area with potentially medicinal radon water occurrence. Therefore, in areas with medium radon potential, groundwaters which are not suitable as a source of drinking water due to very high 222Rn activity concentration in them can be used as medicinal radon waters in therapeutic treatments.

Exploration and Investigation of High-Level Radon Medicinal Springs in the Crystalline Units: Lugicum

Radioactive (radon) groundwaters are highly valued among mineral waters for their healing effects. Between 2005 and 2015, a large exploratory event for prospecting and documenting radon water springs took place in the crystalline area of Lugicum (Bohemian Massif) under Czech–Polish cooperation. For these purposes, an exploration method was developed as a combination of GIS (ArcMap 9.1–10.2) area preparation followed by field radiohydrogeochemical mapping at a scale of 1:10,000. The gamma indication method was optimized and used for the selection of water samples. A total of 2354 water sources were examined. Radon activity concentrations were measured at 660 sources found throughout the territory. Of those, 111 sources exhibited 222Rn activity above 1500 Bq/L and, thus, were categorized as sources of mineral radioactive waters according to Czech legislation. The highest 222Rn activity was found in the Michael spring near Nové Město pod Smrkem (up to 6237 Bq/L 222Rn). Many discovered sources with high balneological potential are significant and, therefore, are quickly becoming popular among the public.

RESEARCH ON RADON (222Rn) CONTENT IN DRINKING-WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SIBIU COUNTY

The isotope radon (222Rn), an inert water-soluble gas that may contaminate water, represents a potential risk for human health, including cancer. The present study reports the evaluation of the 222Rn concentration in drinking-water samples collected in 2020 from 10 sources located in Sibiu County, as measured using the pulse ionization chamber. Values of 222Rn varied from 0.0549 to 37.4770 Bq/l, with an average of 4.586 Bq/l. These values were below the maximum level of 100 Bq/l recommended by WHO and EU Directive/Euratom. With the exception of the sample from groundwater, the others showed 222Rn values below the maximum level of 11.1 Bq/l, as recommended by US EPA. In the case of impermeable soils, this radionuclide floats inside the cracks until it reaches the atmospheric air, so it is harmful to human health both in water and in the air. Evaluation of radon in water, in particular from groundwater sources becomes essential for the management of remedial solutions.

Correction of the effects of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide on electrostatic cell monitors measurements of radon in water

The present study shows that the presence of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in water have a negative effect on the accuracy of radon measurements in samples when an electrostatic ion collector device (RAD7) is used.CO2 concentrations between 0.65 g/l and 5.19 g/l were generated in water samples containing 222Rn activities ranging from 23.4 ± 0.9 Bq/l to 6.7 ± 0.9 Bq/l, after which the samples were measured by a RAD7 device, and the results compared to the radon activity values of the gas-free samples. The same procedure was followed for H2S concentrations from 0.125 mg/l to 3 mg/l. In both cases, a major impact was observed, the radon apparent specific activities decreasing exponentially with gas concentration. For a CO2 concentration of 1.29 g/l, the apparent specific activity underestimated the true value by 24.5%, while for a concentration of 5.19 g/l CO2 the decrease was of 57%. For H2S, the radon measured values decreased by 42.5% for concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/l, culminating in a reduction of 86.9% for 3 mg/l H2S. We are attributing these effects to 218Po neutralization processes, which reduces the electrostatic efficiency of the silicon detector system. To eliminate the interferences of these gases on RAD7 measurements, a sample preparation method was developed and tested, involving the precipitation and deposition of CO2 using Ca(OH)2, and H2S using Pb(NO3)2..The findings of the present study clearly indicate that in order to perform valid radon measurements in gas-rich waters with RAD7, the effect of the interfering gases must be considered.