2026· Journal of Basics and Applied Sciences Research· 0 citations
Abstract
Groundwater is the principal drinking-water source on Nigerian university campuses, yet its radiological quality, and the age-differentiated radon doses delivered to the students, staff and resident children who depend on it, remains largely uncharacterised, and no comparative campus-scale assessment exists for the semi-arid basement terrain of Katsina State. This study assessed radon gas concentration and associated radiological health risks in drinking water samples collected from three universities in Katsina State, Nigeria: Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina (UMYU), and Federal University of Transportation Daura (FUTD). A total of 30 water samples were analyzed for radon activity concentration, and the annual effective doses (AED) due to inhalation and ingestion were calculated for adults, children, and infants. Total annual effective doses (TAED) and excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCR) were also determined. Radon concentrations ranged from 10−4 to 1.14×10−1 Bq L−1 at FUDMA, 8×10−3 to 1.875 Bq L−1 at UMYU, and 6.1×10−2 to 12.964 Bq L−1 at FUTD, with mean values of 1.58×10−2, 6.81×10−1, and 4.501 Bq L−1, respectively. All mean concentrations were below the WHO/UNSCEAR safe limit of 11 Bq L−1. However, the Admin Block at FUTD recorded 12.964 Bq L−1, slightly exceeding this threshold. The mean TAED values remained well below the ICRP reference level of 0.1 mSv yr−1 across all institutions, though FUTD's Admin Block slightly exceeded this limit (0.198 mSv yr−1 for infants). ELCR values were generally within acceptable EPA ranges (10−6–10−4), except at FUTD's Admin Block where infant ingestion risk reached 6.61×10−4, nearing the upper bound of acceptability. Infants consistently exhibited the highest doses and cancer risks across all sites, followed by children and adults. The findings indicate that while most water sources are radiologically safe, localized hotspots, particularly at FUTD require continuous monitoring.
The findings indicate that the investigated water sources may pose potential health risks if consumed without treatment, and appropriate water treatment and routine radiological monitoring are recommended to minimize radon exposure and protect public health.
Aminu Abubakar, B. Ordinioha, A. Kumurya et al.· Journal of Basics and Applie...· 0 citations
Objectives of this study were to determine radon concentration in tap water and assess the annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) associated with radon exposure in tap water in Chiang Khan District, Loei Province, Thailand. A total of 40 water samples were collected to determine radon concentration using the RAD7 radon detector and analyze the physical and chemical properties of the water using a multiparameter water quality meter. The results showed that radon concentrations in tap water were between 0.007 and 1.973 Bq/L with an average of 0.099 ± 0.307 Bq/L. The highest concentration was observed at one sampling location (1.973 Bq/L), although all measured values remained considerably below the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended limits of radon levels in tap water. Radon concentration has a negative correlation with temperature. The AED and ELCR assessments showed that the infant group (0-1 years) had the highest risk compared to the children and adult groups due to the higher rate of water consumption per body mass. However, AED and ELCR values for all age groups were still low and did not exceed the levels that pose radiation risks to public health. This study provides the first baseline data on radon levels, associated radiological risks, and water quality parameters in tap water from Chiang Khan District, Loei Province.
Ing-orn Sittitanadol, K. Prakhammin, V. Atyotha· Sains Malaysiana· 0 citations
Abstract Naturally occurring radon in groundwater represents a significant public health concern due to exposure through both ingestion and inhalation. This study investigated radon concentrations across 30 groundwater samples collected from northeastern Iraq, together with associated physicochemical parameters and radiological risk assessments. Measured radon concentrations spanned from 2.9 to 29.7 Bq L−1, with a mean of 12.5 Bq L−1. Approximately 43.3 % of the sampled sites exceeded the USEPA guideline, whereas all concentrations remained below the WHO and UNSCEAR limits. Radiological health risk indicators, including annual effective dose via ingestion and inhalation pathways and excess lifetime cancer risk, were evaluated across three different age groups. Although the overall total annual effective dose remained beneath the WHO recommended limit of 0.1 mSv y−1, infants recorded higher dose values than both children and adults, with five sampling locations surpassing this threshold specifically for the infant group. Excess lifetime cancer risk estimates across all age categories fell within USEPA acceptable boundaries. Pearson correlation, skewness, kurtosis, and Shapiro-Wilk statistical tests were applied to examine relationships between radon levels and water quality indicators. Findings highlight the need for targeted mitigation interventions, continuous environmental monitoring, and community awareness initiatives to reduce long-term waterborne radon health risks.
This study aimed to measure radon concentration in Djiri River water and to evaluate the associated equivalent doses, effective doses, and lifetime cancer mortality risks for the population of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Radon concentration was measured in 29 water samples collected from the Djiri River using an AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO radon detector. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were evaluated for sample storage in order to estimate radon losses during storage. To enable a direct comparison with the National Research Council (1999) reference values, the estimated cancer mortality risks were normalized to the same reference radon concentration. Measured radon concentrations ranged from 0.23 to 0.73 Bq/L, with a mean value of 0.425±0.12 Bq/L (equivalent to 425±120 Bq/m³). These concentrations are low and indicate that radiation exposure through drinking water ingestion is minimal under the investigated conditions. The estimated annual effective doses from water ingestion were 5.37×10⁻6 mSv/year for infants, 4.45×10⁻3 mSv/year for 1-year-old children, 2.03×10⁻3 mSv/year for 5-year-old children, 1.18×10⁻3 mSv/year for 10-year-old children, 4.38×10⁻6 mSv/year for 15-year-old children, and 4.02×10⁻3 mSv/year for adults. All estimated doses remained well below the World Health Organization guideline value of 0.1 mSv/year for drinking water. The estimated lifetime cancer mortality risks for males, females, and the total population were 6.35×10⁻7, 9.45×10⁻7, and 7.68×10⁻7, respectively. After normalization to the same radon concentration, these estimates were consistent with the projections reported by the National Research Council (1999). Although the estimated doses and risks are very low and do not indicate a significant radiological health concern, the results support periodic monitoring of radon in the Djiri River as part of routine environmental and public health surveillance.
Guy Romuald Mossa Efouka, J. Bazoma, R. M. Moubakou Diahou et al.· Carpathian Journal of Earth...· 0 citations
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and a major contributor to natural radiation exposure, with prolonged inhalation associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. This study evaluated indoor radon concentrations and associated radiological risks in selected buildings at South-Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kenya. Indoor radon concentrations were measured in six selected multi-storey buildings using a calibrated RAD7 electronic radon detector under standardized operating conditions. Measurements were conducted on the lowest floor of each building over 24 hours at each sampling location. Radiological risk parameters, including equilibrium equivalent concentration (EEC), annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and lung cancer cases per million persons per year (LCC), were estimated using internationally established models and conversion factors. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 8.18 ± 0.26 to 17.21 ± 0.77 Bq m⁻³, with a mean of 12.84 ± 0.55 Bq m⁻³, well below the reference levels recommended by the World Health Organization and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The corresponding mean EEC, AED, ELCR, and LCC were 5.14 ± 0.22 Bq m⁻³, 0.3239 ± 0.0140 mSv y⁻¹, (1.25 ± 0.05) × 10⁻³, and 5.83 ± 0.25 cases per million persons per year, respectively. These values indicate a low estimated radiological risk for the monitored buildings. Because the measurements were limited to 24-hour active monitoring at six buildings, the findings are interpreted as a short-term baseline assessment rather than an estimate of annual average indoor radon exposure. Periodic and seasonal monitoring is recommended to better characterize long-term exposure variability.
Winfred Kangai, J. Linturi, Isaac M. Kwembur et al.· Physics Access· 0 citations
A number of communities in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State are known to host several crude oil companies with exploration activities ongoing and may be responsible for the presence of high radon levels in drinking water. Radon (222Rn) has emerged as a major health concern due to its radiotoxic effects and radiation dose to internal organs. Therefore, this work aimed to measure radon levels in borehole water and assess the radiological risk. Thirty water samples were collected from borehole sources in the sampled area into containers. Analysis was done using a RAD7 device for radon measurement. After analysis, radon levels in the samples ranged from 1.373 Bq L-1 to 11.974 Bq L-1 with a mean value of 5.886 Bq L-1. The average radon value obtained here is below the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reference level of 11.1 Bq L-1. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit is also above the mean radon value recorded in this study. This implies that borehole water in Ukwuani LGA is within radon safe limit with no significant threat to human health. These findings provide data to inform policy implementation and support interventions for safe drinking water resources and to serve as reference data for further studies on radon monitoring of other water sources within southern Nigeria.
A. O. Nwabuoku· Health Physics· 0 citations
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