Radon In Water Research Articles

Radon concentration measurement and effective dose assessment in different brands of commercial bottled water produced in China

Abstract Radon and its progeny often exist in daily drinking water, and may pose a potential health threat to the public. In this study, the radon concentrations of 15 different brands of bottled drinking water and their radiological hazards were measured and evaluated. The results indicate that the concentration range of radon in water is 13.3 ± 4.7 to 300.0 ± 21.6 mBq/L, and is lower than the limit level (11.11 Bq/L). The results compared with radon concentrations from other countries or regions show that the radon concentrations in this study are almost within the range of those of all the others. The average annual effective dose for infants, children and adults in the three age-groups is 0.657, 0.535 and 0.665 μSv/y respectively, which is lower than the recommended level of 0.1 mSv/y. The results also show that the bottled water does not pose a major health hazard to the public. Moreover, combined with statistical analysis, it is concluded that the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) and Ca2+ in bottled mineral water has a strong correlation with the radon concentration in the water.

The features of harnessing the natural and recreational potential of region as development dimension of tourism (on the example of Vinnytsia region)

The purpose of the article: coverage of territorial and sectoral features of development and use of natural and recreational potential of the region for tourism development of Vinnytsia region. Research methodology: methodological basis of the study expert evaluations, analogies and comparisons. Scientific novelty lies in the reasonable relevance of the problem regarding the use of natural and recreational potential of Vinnytsia region as a factor in the development of tourism in the region. Based on the characteristics of natural and recreational resources of Vinnytsia region and the conducted comprehensive assessment, the natural and recreational potential and content components at the regional level are outlined; the economic essence and factors regional natural and recreational potential formation are determined; the territorial-sectoral features of Vinnytsia region natural- recreational potential development and use are revealed; a methodological approach to determine the level of recreational potential development is formulated and analysed on the example of the studied object; the principles and methods of recreational activity optimization, formation, regional natural-recreational potential use and development are improved. Conclusions: Suggestions for improving the efficiency of natural and recreational potential of Vinnytsia region have been articulated: creation and maintenance of the region positive image, dissemination of information about its socio-economic and cultural potential; development of ecological tourism; weekend tourism and rural green tourism; health and medical tourism on the basis of mineral and radon waters of Vinnytsia region; preservation of the region competitive advantages by ecological tourism intensifying; quality improvement and expansion of tourist and recreational services range; promotion of active types of tourism development (hiking, water, horseback riding, cycling, etc.) considering the need to ensure efficient use of nature and environmental protection; development and reconstruction of road transport infrastructure.

Radonotherapy in restoring statokinetic functions in the patients with occupational joint damage

The results of the use of natural radon water in the form of general baths in patients working in the coal mining and metallurgical industry, with occupational diseases of the joints and spine, at the stage of rehabilitation are presented. Studies have shown that the course application of radon therapy has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, a general sedative effect helps to restore the volume of movements in the affected joints, normalizes the statokinetic functions of the musculoskeletal system, slows down the progression of the joint process and the development of dystrophic changes in the musculoskeletal system.Indicators of statodynamic functions of the musculoskeletal system in patients with occupational diseases of the joints and spine in the rehabilitation system against the background of course use of natural radon waters in the form of shared baths were studied. The aim of the study is to explore the effect of radon waters of natural origin on the dynamics of statodynamic parameters according to the data of a stabilometric study in patients working in the coal mining and metallurgical industry, with occupational diseases of the joints and spine.Patients with occupational diseases of the joints and spine in rehabilitation were prescribed general radon baths (the main group). The control group of patients received freshwater baths. Before and after treatment were carried out studies of the static-dynamic functions stabiiloplatform (soft ware-hardware complex for clinical motion analysis “Biomechanics” published by the scientific-medical firm MBN), with the help of which the indicator of the common center of mass, the flexor setting up of the thigh, the coefficient of weight load on the foot, the inter-limb asymmetry, the vertical stance was determined in the initial position and in the Romberg position.The use of common radon baths in the main group allowed to normalize the statokinetic functions of the musculoskeletal system in the form of reducing the period of alignment of the pelvic flexor installations and asymmetry of the distribution of weight load on the affected limb; increasing the level of adaptation of patients to functional loads against the background of reducing pain and inflammatory syndrome. There were no significant changes in these indicators in the control group. The use of general radon baths on the rehabilitation stage in patients working in the coal mining and metallurgical industry, with occupational diseases of the joints and spine, helps to restore the statodynamic functions of the musculoskeletal system, the disappearance of pain syndrome, and reduces inflammation.The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Effect of radon therapy on epithelial cells of the respiratory tract mucosa in patients with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The influence of natural radon waters on the state of the respiratory tract mucosal cells in patients working in the coal and metallurgical industries with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was studied. The positive effect of common radon baths on the restoration of cytological changes in the respiratory mucosa was revealed.Indicators of local immunity of the respiratory tract mucosa in patients with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the background of the use of general radon baths.The aim of the study is to explore the effect of natural radon water in the form of shared baths on epithelial cells of the respiratory mucosa in patients with occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on the analysis of cytological changes in the respiratory mucosa. Patients of the main group with professional chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were given general radon baths from a natural source in sanatorium conditions. Patients in the control group had shared freshwater baths. All patients before and after treatment studies were conducted cytologic changes in the smears from the mucous membrane of the nose and phlegm. The use of common radon baths in the main group revealed a pronounced corrective effect on the function of cellular protection of the respiratory mucosa, which was expressed in a significant decrease in destructive processes in cells of all types with an increase in their functional activity, normalization of mucociliary clearance. There were no significant changes in indicators in the control group.The use of common radon baths at the stage of rehabilitation in workers of the coal and metallurgical industry with professional chronic obstructive pulmonary disease leads to the restoration of the integrity of the cellular composition of the epithelial cover of the respiratory tract mucosa, preserves the functional activity of cells of local protection factors.The authors declare no conflict of interests.

RADON CONCENTRATION IN GROUND WATER OF DHAKA CITY, BANGLADESH

Water is the most important source of life and ground water may contain varying levels of radioactivity. So it is therefore important to measure radon concentration in ground water for public health and radiation protection. In this study, radon concentration was measured in ground water samples collected from water pumps of different locations at Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Twenty ground water samples were collected in July 2017to April 2018 for radon level measurement. Radon detector RAD7 (manufactured by Durridge Company, USA) with RAD H2O technique was used for the measurement. The highest radon concentration was found 13.00±0.70 Bq/L for the pump of sample ID GW1 and the lowest radon concentration 2.13±0.593 Bq/L for the pump of sample ID GW10.The activity concentration of radon in maximum water samples in Dhaka city was lower than the value 11.1 Bq/L recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The radon concentration was lowered from the activity concentration before storage. The highest value of annual effective dose for radon in ground water was found 0.04745 mSv/y According to recommendation of World Health Organization, the annual effective dose level for radon in drinking water is 0.1 mSv/y. These results indicate that there is no probability of health hazards for public due to presences of radon in ground water and it is safe for consumption.

Freshening of seawater in the Mahim Bay, Mumbai, India: Insight from an environmental isotope study

ABSTRACT An environmental isotope study was conducted to assess the cause for the freshening of seawater observed in the Mahim Bay, Mumbai, India after a storm event during the southwest monsoon period. Water samples were collected from the various locations of the coastal water and the suspected inland water sources such as rain, river and groundwater and analysed for major ion species and stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H). Dissolved radon (222Rn) in the coastal water was monitored in-situ. Field monitoring survey in the coastal water indicated lower electrical conductivity (1,730 μS/cm) near Mahim Mosque compared to the surrounding shelf waters. Relatively high excess 222Rn activities (up to 55 Bq/m3) were observed in the Mahim Bay, even after 13 days of seawater freshening event. Based on the hydrochemical and isotope results, various prevailing hypotheses on the occurrence of low salinity water in the Mahim Bay were tested. It is inferred that the low salinity coastal water was associated with groundwater discharge occurring in the Mahim Bay and in the Mithi River and were unlikely due to the overflow of Vihar and Powai Lakes in the catchment of Mithi River and surface runoff because of the rain/storm events. Temporal variations of electrical conductivity and stable isotopic composition of coastal water in the Mahim Bay showed that the groundwater inputs were decreasing after the storm event. 222Rn was found to be a useful tracer for distinguishing the subsurface flow of water to the coastal system.

222Rn Concentration in Groundwaters Circulating in Granitoid Massifs of Poland

The authors’ research has shown that the maximum values of 222Rn activity concentration in all granitoid massifs of Poland exceed 100 Bq·L−1, i.e. the value allowed for waters intended for human consumption. Such waters should be de-radoned prior to being distributed through the water supply networks. Even more common in these areas is the occurrence of potentially medicinal radon waters, i.e. waters characterized, in accordance with Polish law, by radon activity concentration of at least 74 Bq·L−1. Such waters may be used for balneotherapeutic treatments. For the Karkonosze, Strzegom-Sobótka, Kłodzko-Złoty Stok and Kudowa massifs, the range of hydrogeochemical background of 222Rn exceeds both 74 and 100 Bq·L−1. This indicates common occurrence in these areas of both potentially medicinal radon waters and waters which require de-radoning before being supplied for human consumption. More than 50% of groundwaters from the Karkonosze granite area contain over 100 Bq·L−1 of 222Rn. This means that these waters are mostly radon and high-radon waters. The remaining massifs contain predominantly low-radon waters and radon-poor waters. The 222Rn concentrations obtained by the authors are comparable to values measured in groundwaters in other granitoid massifs in the world, creating both problems and new application possibilities.

Study of the influence of radon in water on radon levels in air in a closed location

Radon, radioactive gas that comes from uranium and radium decay was considered as a carcinogenic element by the World Health Organization in 1988. The hazard of this gas resides in two of its descendants, the 214Po and 218Po, solid particles that adhere to the aerosols present in the air and are deposited in human lungs causing damage to its tissue. In closed spaces, radon tends to accumulate in the air reaching levels above the legislative limits established in the Directive 59/2019/EURATOM. However, radon is present not only in the air but also in soil, water and building materials. In this research it has been investigated water as a radon source. Due to its high variability, the main objective of this research is to study the influence of water radon concentration into air radon concentration in two situations: at a laboratory scale and in a real installation. For this purpose, an experimental device was designed at laboratory scale to analyze this influence in stable conditions of temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure, thus reducing the interference of these variables in radon measurements. For field measurements, the radon levels in water and its possible influence on the increase in air concentration in a Waste Water Pre-Treatment Plant (WWPTP) have been analyzed.

RADON IN NIŠKA BANJA SPA WATERS

The most numerous investigations of radon concentration in waters in Serbia were conducted in Niška Banja spa. Niška Banja spa is considered an area with high natural radioactivity. The appearance of radon in water is due to the leaching of soil in which 226Ra nuclei decompose. The passage of groundwater through radium-rich rocks results in the collection of radium decay products, including radon 222Rn. This paper presents the results of several studies which measured radon concentrations in the waters of Niška Banja spa. There are three thermal springs in Niška Banja spa: „Glavno vrelo“, „Suva banja” and „Školska česma”. The radon concentration in the waters of Niška Banja spa was found to be generally about 0.4-570·103 Bq/m3. According to the available data in the literature, the highest measured radon concentration in the waters of Niška Banja spa is 1463.4·103 Bq/m3.

RADON IN THE WATER

Man and his environment are constantly exposed to the effects of ionizing radiation. Most of this radiation comes from natural and artificial radionuclides and the biggest radioecological problem is the 222Rn radioactive gas. Natural radioactivity comes from unstable radioisotopes that were present during the formation of the Earth, and are present today. According to the research by UNSCEAR(United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) it is estimated that the radiation dose, which comes from natural radionuclides and to which man is exposed, is 2.4 mSv per year. Natural sources of radioactivity are cosmic radiation and Earth’s crust that contains primordial radioactive elements including those that are sources of radon (uranium). Radon is a natural inert radioactive gas without smell and taste. It is soluble in water and can easily diffuse with the gaseous and aqueous phase and in this way forms significant concentrations. The techniques and methods most commonly used to detect and determine the activities of radon in water are alpha spectrometry, gamma spectrometry and measurement techniques on a liquid scintillation detector. Throughout epidemiological studies, the World Health Organization has provided convincing evidence of the correlation of exposure to indoor radon and the development of lung cancer. Radon and its decomposition products are considered to be the second cause of lung cancer after consuming tobacco.

Measurement of Radon-222 Concentration Levels in Brands of Sachet Drinking-Water Produce in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to measure the concentration levels of radon-222 from seven (7) water samples collected at different sachet drinking-water companies located within Dutsin-Ma LGA using Liquid Scintillation Counter. The levels of radon-222 found to range from (11.69 to 13.04 ), and (9.23 to 11.19 ) with mean values of 12.37 and 10.18 for borehole and earth-dam sources respectively. The results found are compared with the world average maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 set by WHO and it was discovered that 86% of the samples are below the value and 100% of the samples are below the WHO recommended reference level of 100 . Annual effective doses due to ingestion of radon in water for three (3) categories of people were estimated from the measured radon concentrations and their mean values were found to be (0.090, 0.181 and 0.632) in borehole water and (0.074, 0.149, and 0.520) in surface water (earth-dam) for adults, children and infants respectively. Most of the mean values of the annual effective doses were below the recommended level of 0.1 set by WHO. Therefore, it is recommended that the inhabitants of Dutsin-Ma LGA should always drink the sachet water produce by the companies irrespective of it source.

ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ КАЧЕСТВА ВОДЫ В МИНЕРАЛЬНЫХ ИСТОЧНИКАХ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БУРЯТИЯ

Drinking mineral water is often used for therapeutic purposes, especially for treatment of the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, bile and urinary tract disorders. Mineral healing water is used for external (mineral baths) or internal use (inhalation, irrigation, douching, enema, drinking). At resorts, patients drink mineral water directly from springs. Bottling water ensures the preservation of the original composition and medicinal properties of samples. The authors evaluated the quality of mineral water from hard-to-reach areas of the Shumak Reserve, the Republic of Buryatia. Total water mineralization of samples was in the range 1.1 - 1.3 g/dm3, which indicates that Buriatia spring water belongs to natural-mineral table water group; It was established that the studied mineral water belongs to the hydro-carbonate-magnesium-calcium siliceous hydrochemical group (НСО3 85, Ca2+ 50-60, Mg2+ 30-50 equiv.%) with pH from 6.4 to 8.8. Among the balneologically active components of all water samples, silicon was in the range of 51.7 - 124.0 mg/dm3. The highest value was noted in spring No. 4 (“diabetes”) 124.0 ± 5.0 mg/dm3. Besides elevated levels of Si, all sprigs contained radioactive gas radon in concentrations between 33 to 1003 Bq/dm3. The highest radon content was found in spring No. 2: 1003 ± 119 Bq/dm3. This is higher than the threshold value of the content of a balneologically significant factor - 185 Bq/dm3 (5 nCi/dm3). Accordingly, water of spring No. 2, should be classified as low radon water and designed for external use.

Role of water-rock interactions in the formation of the composition of radon waters of the Zaeltsovsky field (the southern part of West Siberia)

Results of thermodynamic calculations of the interactions of radon waters from the Zaeltsovsky field with the minerals of host rocks are presented for the first time. It was established that waters under study are supersaturated with respect to calcite and siderite, and to a smaller extent with respect to magnesite and dolomite. No saturation of radon waters with respect to primary aluminosilicate minerals (albite, anortite, microcline, ferrosilite) is observed. The points are located in the fields of stability of clayey minerals (kaolinite, Ca- and Mg-montmorillonite, Fe-sepiolite), gibbsite and leptochlorite. In the evolution of the water-rock system, they correspond to the siallite type of interaction with rocks.

About the functional typification of the Podilsk economic-geographical district mineral resources (Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia regions)

The article offers a functional typification of Podilsk economic and geographical area mineral resources (MR), based on taking into account their influence on the participa- tion of certain industries in the territorial division of labor, complex-forming properties and the realized activity (degree of deposit development) of certain types of minerals and differs from the general Ukrainian (Syvyi, 2011) with several features. Thus, three groups of mineral resources are determined in particular, ac- cording to the first feature: international, national and local; according to the second all types of mineral raw materials are grouped into three classes a, b, and c; three types of mineral deposits a, b and c are identified depending on the degree of development. Besides, the criteria are proposed for classification of some raw materials as strategic. In the presented variant of typification of mineral resources of the region, an attempt was also made to approximate geographical and geological positions in classifications, which will help to define clearly the role and place of mineral resources in the territorial and sectoral structures of the economy, to determine national priorities in the development of mineral and economic resources of the country-raw materials experience in geological practice. The first group (raw material of international importance) in Podillia includes valuable mineral waters such as Naftusia, radon, and sulfide waters, kaolins, graphite, facing stones from magmatic rocks, i.e. raw materials with significant (modern or potential) export potential. The second group (raw material of national importance) is the largest, with the vast majority of mineral resources explored in the region: most types of mineral waters, cement raw materials, construction stones, agrochemical raw materials, some types of technological raw materials and so on. Many of them are characterized by high realized activity, a large number is developed in insufficient quantities or generally not developed because of various reasons (lack of demand, environmental problems, depletion or insufficient exploration of stocks, etc.). The local raw materials include a small number of mineral types - ameliorant, construction sands, and others. Mineral resources with high complex-forming properties are almost absent in the region (except for Naftusia mineral waters, where large recreational complexes are formed). Class B (medium complex-forming properties) includes mineral resources, small mining sites, and centers that are formed based on them (cement raw materials, agrochemical raw materials, kaolins, mineral waters with specific components, etc.). However, the largest amount of mineral resources of the region is not marked by explicit complex-forming properties and is classified as class C. The article draws generalized conclusions about the functional structure of mineral resources of the region, which are revealed by their typification, the priority directions of investments in geological prospecting are offered, which should help to increase and optimize the mineral base of the region.

Radiation-ecological evaluation of rock dumps in the south zone of the Elkon uranium mine region (the Southern Yakutia)

This study aims at investigating the allocation conditions of rock dumps in the South zone located in the Elkon uranium mine region (the Southern Yakutia), and also at determining their radiation parameters as sources of technogenic contamination of the soil-vegetation cover and surface waters, and assessing the danger of these dumps for people. In this study, the generally accepted geographical methods were used, including comparative geographical and geochemical methods, as well as a combination of various radiometric research methods. The radiation parameters of the rock dumps of the South zone of the Elkon uranium mine region, the content and distribution of uranium, radium and radon in surface waters, as well as 238U content in technogenic soils at different distances from radioactive contamination sources were studied. It was found that the most active dumps, in terms of their radiation parameters, are located close to the radioactive ores, with the EDR of 1600-2150 R/h, effective specific activity - 20441-23640 Bq/kg, and uranium content of 1637-1888 mg/kg. The ranking of the studied dumps according to the degree of radiation hazard showed that 12 out of 31 dumps (39%) belong to the safe category, 6 (19%) belong to the category of potentially dangerous, and 5 and 8 (16% and 26%) were classified as dangerous and very dangerous respectively. In the conditions of the mountainous terrain, cold and humid climate of the studied area, these rock dumps, which are unevenly spread in mountain and taiga landscapes over the area of about 500 km2, are the main source of radioactive contamination of soil and vegetation cover and surface waters. The maximum contents of uranium, radium and radon in the studied surface waters were 18010-7 g/L, 4.710-12 g/L and 256.8 Bq/L respectively, which are 100, 8 and 198 times higher than their background concentrations in waters of natural landscapes. In the studied technogenic zones, a direct relationship was registered between the pollution intensity in surface water and that in the drained alluvial soils formed in the floodplains of these watercourses.

Study on activity of radium, radon and physicochemical parameters in ground water and their health hazards around Tumkur industrial area

The activity of radium (226Ra), radon (222Rn) and physicochemical parameters in ground water around study area were estimated by standard techniques. The average values of activity of 226Ra, 222Rn in the study area are higher than the global average but physicochemical parameter are within the safe level. The total dose and ELCR to the workers and publics of the study area are less than the prescribed and accepted level. The industrial activity influences the activity of radionuclides and physicochemical parameter in ground water. The correlation was observed between radium with fluoride, chloride and nitrate. The obtained data are discussed in this paper.

Submarine groundwater discharge and its implication for nutrient budgets in the western Bohai Bay, China

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) supplies substantial quantities of nutrients from land to oceans. However, SGD and associated nutrient fluxes have long been ignored in Bohai Bay, which is subjected to the serious environmental problem. Here, we investigated the concentrations of radon (222Rn) and nutrients in groundwater and surface water in the western Bohai Bay during May 2017. The flushing time in the bay was estimated to be 38.8–58.3 days based on tidal prism model. The SGD flux was estimated to be 7.3 ± 4.8 cm d−1 based on 222Rn mass balance model. The SGD associated nutrient fluxes were estimated to be (6.3 ± 4.1) × 107 mol d−1 for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), (1.2 ± 0.8) × 106 mol d−1 for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and (7.5 ± 4.9) × 107 mol d−1 for dissolved inorganic silicon (DSi). By establishing nutrient budgets, we found that SGD was a major source, contributing 80.8% of all source for DIN, 90.7% of all source for DIP and 78.4% of all source for DSi into the western Bohai Bay. This study shows that SGD associated nutrient fluxes may have significant impact on nutrient budgets in the western Bohai Bay.

Estimation of ambient gamma radiation dose and drinking water radon concentration in coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka

This study assesses the ambient gamma dose rate and radon concentration in drinking water at different locations in few coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada district. The ambient gamma dose and 222Rn activity in drinking water has been estimated by using micro R survey meter and Emanometry technique respectively. The annual effective doses ranges from 0.39 to 0.82 mSvy−1 with a geometric mean value of 0.55 mSvy−1 and it is slightly higher than the world average value. 222Rn activity in drinking water vary from 3.34 ± 0.22 to 160.18 ± 1.84 Bql−1 with mean value of 25.07 ± 0.86 Bql−1. Annual average ingestion dose due to consuming water are well below the WHO and EC suggested action level of 100 µSvy−1.

Henry’s Law Constant of Noble Gases in Water, Methanol, Ethanol, and Isopropanol by Experiment and Molecular Simulation

Henry’s law constant data for the noble gases helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon in the pure solvents water, methanol, ethanol, and propan-2-ol are predicted over a wide temperature ran...

Risk assessment of radon in some bottled water on the Ghanaian market

The demand for bottled drinking water on the Ghanaian market has increased despite being expensive. This can be attributed to the public perception that is of higher quality relative to other water sources. Radon (222Rn) is a noble gas formed from radium (226Ra) which is the decay product of Uranium (238U). Radon concentration and annual effective doses were measured in fifteen popular bottled water samples on the Ghanaian market at the Greater Accra, Region. Measurements were made using RAD -H20. The range and mean radon concentration of 222Rn in all sampled water were 0.03–0.09 Bql−1 and 0.06 ± 0.01 Bql−1 respectively. The annual effective dose due to ingestion in the various age groups had a range and mean of 6.79E-01-1.90E-01 μSvy−1 and 4.66E-01 ± 3.77E-02 μSvy−1 for adults, 3.80E-01-1.36 E-01 μSvy−1 and 9.33E-01 ± 7.55E-02 μSvy−1 for children and 1.33–4.75 μSvy−1 and 3.26 μSvy−1 ± 2.64E-01 for infants. The measured values of radon concentration as well as the annual effective dose were found within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. It can be concluded that the radiation dose from radon in the bottled water analysed is low and pose no risk to the public.