Spatial distribution of radon contamination in hot springs water and its cancer and non-cancer risks in the Hunza-Nagar valley, Pakistan

Radiological risk assessment due to radon in bottled drinking water sold in Kahramanmaraş town, Turkiye

This research aimed to measure radon activity concentrations in bottled drinking water (BDW) samples consumed in Kahramanmaraş town, Turkiye. Also, to evaluate the health risk that may occur as a result of internal irradiation resulting from ingestion and inhalation of radon in BDW samples, the total annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) for infants, children, and adults (1-2 y, 2-12 y, and > 17 y) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for adults (> 17 y) had to be calculated. For these purposes, 32 water samples of different volumes belonging to 8 different commercial brands, representing a large part of the BDW consumed as drinking water and sold commercially in Kahramanmaraş were collected by purchasing from markets. Radon activity amounts of BDW samples were determined using the Durridge Rad7 detector. The average value of radon activity concentrations in BDW samples was found to be 21.21 ± 1.50 mBq/L. Radon activity concentrations ranged from 13.50 ± 1.30 to 31.70 ± 2.20 mBq/L. Estimated mean total AEDE values for infants, children, and adults (1-2 y, 2-12 y, and > 17 y) were 7.43E-05, 4.39E-05, 5.43E-05 mSv y-1, respectively. The average ELCR value calculated for adults was calculated as 2.40E-07.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of radon risk exposure from drinking water resources in Nigeria

Elevated radon concentrations in drinking water pose an increased risk of cancer among nonsmokers. A Monte-Carlo Simulation was employed to assess the effective dose and cancer risk associated with radon exposure in humans, utilizing a systematic review and meta-analysis of related studies. These studies were sourced from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, focusing on drinking water from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The random effects models revealed a 222Rn concentration in drinking water of Nigeria at 25.01, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 7.62 and 82.09, indicating significant heterogeneity of (I2 = 100%; p < 0.001). The probabilistic risk of effective dose revealed a best-scenario (P 5%) at Kundiga and Magiro that exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended effective dose limit of 200 µSv/y. Conversely, the worst-case scenario (P 95%) indicated concentrations surpassing the recommended limit at Kundiga, Edbe, Magiro, Ekiti, and Abeokuta. Excess Life Cancer Risk for infants, children, and adults attributed to the ingestion and inhalation of radon from various drinking water sources exceeded the recommended values of 0.2 x 10-3 established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). It underscores the necessity for treating radon-polluted water, employing methos such as aeration and granular activated carbon (GAC) processes.

Annual effective dose estimation of radon in drinking water sources of Nizampur basin, North Western Pakistan

This study assessed radon (222Rn) levels in drinking water sources in the Nizampur basin and their potential health risks for the local community. We analyzed 48 water samples on-site using RAD7. Additionally, we measured pH, temperature (T), total dissolved solids (TDS), redox potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC) with a multiparameter analyzer. Results showed pH, T, TDS, ORP, and EC ranging from 7.2 to 8, 17 to 26 °C, 333 to 1130 mg/l, -56 to 284 mV, and 469 to 2370 µS/cm. 222Rn levels varied significantly (0.7-107 Bq/l, mean 23 ± 21, median = 17 Bq/l), with about 65 % exceeding the EPA's limit of 11.1 Bq/l, indicating health risks likely due to local geological conditions. The annual effective doses for ingestion (EwIng) were 0.87 ± 0.01, 0.35 ± 0.006, and 0.13 ± 0.002 µSv/a for adults, infants, and children, respectively. Exposure risk via the inhalation (EwInh) route ranged from 1.75 to 270 µSv/a, with the highest risk in infants, followed by children and adults. Inhalation was the primary exposure route for all age groups. Further, spatial distribution maps and hotspot analysis suggested that the central region characterized by high structural deformation and favorable geology for radon emanation was the area of concern in terms of health risks.