Radon concentration measurement and effective dose assessment in drinking groundwater for the adult population in the surrounding area of a thermal power plant

Abstract

Radon in the household water collected from hand pumps is measured using a continuous radon monitor. Water samples are collected from 25 villages from the surrounding regions of the National Capital Power Cooperation (NTPC), Dadri. The radon concentration ranges from 17±1 to 68±3 Bql−1 with a mean value of 33±13 Bql−1. The measured radon concentration in all collected samples lies well within the limit of 100 Bql−1as set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The mean values of the annual effective dose due to ingestion of radon and due to the inhalation of radon released from water are 84±33 and 167±65 μSvy−1, respectively. In addition, the mean values of estimated total annual effective doses are found to be 167±65 μSvy−1. The mean value of total annual effective doses is found to be higher than the reference dose level of 100 μSvy−1 recommended by the WHO and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The mean values of effective doses per annum to the lungs and stomach are 9.9±3.9 and 10.1±3.9 μSv, respectively.

Estimation of Inhalation and Ingestion Dose Due to Radon Concentration in Drinking Water Samples of Shankaraghatta Forest Environment, Karnataka, India

“…When these data are compared, it is clear that the major source of health risk in the case of water is radon inhalation. Our average annual effective doses of 2.80 µSvy −1 and 33.57µSvy −1 from radon in water owing to ingestion and inhalation respectively, which are marginally higher than average annual effective doses of 2 and 25µSvy −1 due to ingestion and inhalation (19) . The findings show that the total annual ingestion dose exposure from the water samples was significantly below the WHO standard threshold of 100µSvy −1 , indicating that the 222 Rn dosages ingested by water in the study locations does not pose any health risks.…”

Continuous Monitoring of Radon Contamination Levels in Lower Nam Phong River, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

“…These results were compared with safety limit values, which WHO and USEPA recommend to the dangerous action level of radon concentration is 100 Bq/L for public or commercial drinking water supplies [1,[4][5][6][7] and the proposed regulation provides two options for the maximum level of radon that is allowable in community water supplies: 1. the proposed maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is 11.1 Bq/L and 2. the proposed Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level (AMCL) is 148 Bq/L, respectively [1,5] and the action level of the Ding and the Dinh have a maximum permissible limit of 200 μSv/y if consumed by children and a maximum limit of 100 μSv/y if consumed by adults that are recommended by the WHO and the European Union Commission [1]. The comparison results show that the surface water radon concentration, the Ding, and the Dinh were lower than the action level.…”

“…Figure 5 shows the levels of radon contamination in Nam Phong River obtained from measurements at stations installed along the river and measurements made on boats surveying the river. Both values were compared with the action level of the maximum contamination level of radon in the water, which is 11.1 Bq/L, recommended by the US EPA and WHO [1,[4][5][6][7]. All results from the measurements were lower than the action level.…”

“…One of the significant factors that need to be determined regarding water usability is the radon concentration level and annual effective dose due to the ingestion of radon and the inhalation of radon released from surface water. [6,7]. For this reason, radon concentrations in surface water should be measured, and health risks in different forms should be assessed to verify the safety of drinking and household water following the established standards of various agencies.…”