Radon ²²²Rn in drinking water of West Pomeranian Voivodeship and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland

Abstract

Radon Rn-222 is a commonly occurring natural radionuclide found in the environment from uranium-radium radioactive series, which is the decay product of radium Ra-226. The presence of radon carries negative health effects. It is, in fact, classified as a carcinogen, and therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor its concentration. The aim of this study was to determine the level of radon-222 concentration in water intended for human consumption in the two voivodeships of Poland: West Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian. Measurements were performed for more than 60 intakes. The level of radon was measured by using the liquid scintillation counting method. The range of measured radon concentration in the water from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship was from 0.90 to 11.41 Bq/dm3 with an average of 5.01 Bq/dm3, while that from the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship was from 1.22 to 24.20 Bq/dm3 with an average of 4.67 Bq/dm3. Only in three water intakes, the concentration of radon-222 exceeded the value of 10 Bq/dm3. The obtained results allowed to conclude that population exposure associated with radon-222 in water is negligible and there is no need to take further action. In the case of three intakes where a higher concentration of radon was found, the potential exposure was low.

A technology of drinking water decontamination from radon and its decay products

“…Typical radon activity in groundwater ranges from 3.7 Bq/L to 370 Bq/L and is heavily dependent on the area's geology [4]. In areas where uranium content in rocks is low, radon content in groundwater is also low (no more than several dozen Bq/L) [5][6][7]. However, it is not uncommon A technology of drinking water decontamination from radon and its decay products to fi nd thousands and tens of thousands of Bq/L in water in some countries in Northern Europe, as well as in Czechia and Russia (Ural) [8][9][10].…”

Configuration of the parameters for scanner-based track detector evaluation system

“…The concentration of Rn-222 varies over a wide range all over the world [1]. The sources of indoor radon are mainly the soil [2][3][4][5] and building materials [6,7], occasionally including tap water [8,9] and natural gas [10].…”