ABSTRACT
In this investigation, radon activity concentration, inhalation and ingestion doses due to intake of radon in drinking water have been estimated in the Chitradurga district drinking water by using radon Emanometry technique. The average radon concentrations vary from 1.81 ± 0.11 to 300.33 ± 4.56 Bql-1 with a mean value of 56.01 ± 2.44 Bql-1. Most of the radon concentration levels are within the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Union (EU) commission recommended level of 100 Bql-1. About 70% of the drinking water had radon concentration level higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended Maximum Contamination Limit (MCL) of 11.1 Bql-1. The annual ingestion dose varies from 0.38 to 63.03 µSvy-1 with an average value of 11.75 µSvy-1. The estimated annual ingestion dose is well within the WHO recommended reference level of 100 µSvy-1.
Subject(s)
Drinking Water , Radiology , Radon , United States , India , RadiographyABSTRACT
The main goal of this study is to evaluate the natural radioactivity and potential radiological risks of frequently used building materials in Uttara Kannada district. Using an High purity Germanium Detector (HPGe) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer, the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was determined. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the construction materials vary from 13.78 ± 0.90 to 151.9 ± 1.85, 14.21 ± 0.80 to 207.72 ± 2.9 and 55.26 ± 1.20 to 1298.24 ± 25 Bq kg-1 with an average value of 40.57 ± 1.37,60.13 ± 1.70 and 425.38 ± 4.75 Bq kg-1 having a geometric mean of 33.07, 46.49 and 290.20 Bq kg-1, respectively. The mean annual effective dose equivalent was found to be 0.68 mSv y-1 and is less than the International Commission on Radiological Protection proposed acceptable limit of 1 mSv y-1. The estimated radiological hazard parameters show that these building materials are safe to use in the construction of homes and do not offer a substantial source of radiation hazard.
