2026· Journal of Basics and Applied Sciences Research· Vol 4, pp. 165-174· 0 citations
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
Radon (222Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that constitutes one of the major contributors to natural background radiation exposure and poses significant health risks to humans. Although alpha particles emitted by radon cannot penetrate the skin, inhalation of radon released from water during domestic activities and ingestion of radon-contaminated drinking water may increase the risks of lung and gastrointestinal cancers. This study assessed the concentration of 222Rn and the associated radiological health risks in drinking water obtained from selected communities in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Eight water samples, comprising four borehole and four hand-dug well samples, were collected from four locations and analyzed using a Liquid Scintillation Counter (Tri-Carb LSA-1000) at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The mean radon concentrations were 16.48 Bq/L for hand-dug well water and 16.23 Bq/L for borehole water. These values exceed the guideline limits of 10 Bq/L recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 11.1 Bq/L recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The estimated annual effective doses due to inhalation remained below the recommended safety limits for all age groups, whereas the annual effective doses due to ingestion and the corresponding excess lifetime cancer risks exceeded the recommended values. These findings indicate that the investigated water sources may pose potential health risks if consumed without treatment. Therefore, appropriate water treatment and routine radiological monitoring are recommended to minimize radon exposure and protect public health.
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.
A. Z. Namadi, A. Lawal, Kado S. 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
This study investigates the concentration of Rn-222 in domestic water sources within Nasarawa metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. With the aim of accessing the potential health concerns related to radon accumulation. A total of thirty water samples comprising ten each from wells, boreholes, and streams were collected and analyzed using a liquid scintillation counter (Tri-Carb LSA 1000). Key parameters evaluated include Rn-222 activity concentration, annual effective dose from ingestion and inhalation, dose contributions to the stomach and lungs, and the excess lifetime cancer risk. Measured Rn-222 levels ranged from 0.06 to 18.50 counts per minute (cpm), with a background radiation count of 63.83 cpm attributed to environmental and non-sample sources. Radon activity concentrations spanned from 3.14 × 100 to 1.15 × 103 Bq/L, with an average of 4.17 × 101 Bq/L which substantially exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended safety threshold of 100 Bq/L for drinking water. The mean annual effective dose from ingestion (3.05 × 10⁻³ mSv/y) remained below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) public exposure limit of 1 mSv/y. However, the mean dose to the stomach was 3.65 × 10⁻⁴ mSv/y, indicating minor but quantifiable internal exposure. Notably, the average annual effective dose from inhalation was 18.4 mSv/y, significantly surpassing the ICRP guideline, thus raising potential health concerns, particularly in enclosed, poorly ventilated settings where radon may accumulate. The study therefore recommends continuous monitoring of domestic water sources and improved ventilation practices to minimize radon-related health risks.
Ahmad A. Sule, Ubaidullah Ahmad, Abdulkareem M. Hamza· Journal of Basics and Applie...· 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.
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
In this study, the Alpha Guard PQ2000 PRO detector was used to collect direct water samples from 36 locations southeast of Baghdad Governorate. This included 10 samples collected from the Tuwaitha nuclear site. Twenty-six samples were collected. While outside the Tuwaitha nuclear site, including from health centers, mosques, schools, and gas stations near the Tuwaitha nuclear site. The highest radon concentration in the water tank was recorded at 0.44204 Bq/L at the Central Laboratories Directorate/Model Room (sample W9). In contrast, the lowest concentration was recorded at 0.13364 Bq/L at the Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Security Directorate (sample W11). The annual effective dose from inhalation and ingestion of radon-222 was calculated for all these locations and was found to be lower than the recommended reference level. The natural limit for radon concentration in water is 100 Bq/L according to the World Health Organization, while the Environmental Protection Agency sets a more stringent standard of 11 Bq/L. Radon gas and its short-lived decay products contribute significantly to human exposure to natural radiation, which can cause cancer. Ongoing monitoring is essential to mitigate potential risks.
Ruqayah Mohammed Jawad, Hayder S. Hussain· Iraqi Journal of Physics· 0 citations
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