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Shah SSA, Asif AR, Ilahi M, Haroon H, Islam I, Qadir A, Nisar I, Sani MMU, Iqbal R, Rahman MHU, Arslan M, Alwahibi MS, Elshikh MS, Ditta A. Geographical distribution of radon and associated health risks in drinking water samples collected from the Mulazai area of Peshawar, Pakistan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6042. [PMID: 38472226 PMCID: PMC10933375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55017-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Geospatial methods, such as GIS and remote sensing, map radon levels, pinpoint high-risk areas and connect geological traits to radon presence. These findings direct health planning, focusing tests, mitigation, and policies where radon levels are high. Overall, geospatial analyses offer vital insights, shaping interventions and policies to reduce health risks from radon exposure. There is a formidable threat to human well-being posed by the naturally occurring carcinogenic radon (222Rn) gas due to high solubility in water. Under the current scenario, it is crucial to assess the extent of 222Rn pollution in our drinking water sources across various regions and thoroughly investigate the potential health hazards it poses. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the concentration of 222Rn in groundwater samples collected from handpumps and wells and to estimate health risks associated with the consumption of 222Rn-contaminated water. For this purpose, groundwater samples (n = 30) were collected from handpumps, and wells located in the Mulazai area, District Peshawar. The RAD7 radon detector was used as per international standards to assess the concentration of 222Rn in the collected water samples. The results unveiled that the levels of 222Rn in the collected samples exceeded the acceptable thresholds set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) of 11.1 Bq L-1. Nevertheless, it was determined that the average annual dose was below the recommended limit of 0.1 mSv per year, as advised by both the European Union Council and the World Health Organization. In order to avoid the harmful effects of such excessive 222Rn concentrations on human health, proper ventilation and storage of water in storage reservoirs for a long time before use is recommended to lower the 222Rn concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Samran Ali Shah
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, Ealing, London, UK
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rahim Asif
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Manzoor Ilahi
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- GIS & Space Applications in Geosciences (G-SAG) Lab, National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Haseeb Haroon
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Ihtisham Islam
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- Department of Geology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir (U), 18000, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Qadir
- Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Shakarparian National Park, Garden Ave, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Nisar
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | | | - Rashid Iqbal
- Department of Agronomy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammed Habib Ur Rahman
- Agroecology and Organic Farming Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Crop Science, INRES, University of Bonn, Germany, Bonn, Germany
| | - Muhammad Arslan
- Agroecology and Organic Farming Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Mona S Alwahibi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Allah Ditta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir (U), 18000, Pakistan.
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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Khutia S, Dawn A, Seal K, Chaudhuri H, Maji C, Mukherjee S. Age-dependent potential health risk assessment due to radioactive radon-222 in the environs of highly populated Durgapur industrial zone and nearby Bakreswar hot spring, India. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:5727-5759. [PMID: 36646974 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01478-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that exposure to a high concentration of radon-222 causes severe health effects, including cancer. The present article includes a survey on radon-222 in the water bodies of the city Durgapur [non-geothermal area] and nearby Bakreswar hot spring [geothermal province], India. The possible sources of radon from natural radionuclides and industries have been discussed in the article. Durgapur is a densely populated [~ 3680 persons/km2] industrial city with a population of 0.57 million. On the other hand, many tourists and pilgrims usually visit Bakreswar throughout the year. Age-dependent potential health risk assessments of the dwellers at Durgapur and Bakreswar due to radon exposure were performed for the first time. The present work is the first attempt to estimate the mean ingestion /and inhalation dose per annum, total effective dose [TED] per annum and the health risk assessment for cancer in adults, children and infants due to radon exposure at Durgapur and Bakreswar. In some cases, the values of TED exceed the permissible limit of 100 micro Sievert per year [µSv/y] as recommended by EUC and WHO. The radiation profile maps relating to radon concentration and associated contour maps of health risk factors [HRF] for the adults, children and infants were also prepared for the first time. Some areas were identified as high-risk zones, and the dwellers are prone to a high risk of cancer. The article also proposed several techniques to reduce radon in water and buildings. The authors also recommended banning some water sources to protect people from radon risk. This study will help scientists, policymakers, industrialists, farmers, government agencies and public health departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Khutia
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
| | - Ankita Dawn
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
- Department of Physics, Durgapur Women's College, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
| | - Kankana Seal
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
| | - Hirok Chaudhuri
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India.
- Center for Research on Environment and Water (CREW), National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India.
| | - Chiranjit Maji
- Department of Science (Physics), Quantum School of Graduate Studies, Quantum University, Roorkee, India
| | - Suvashree Mukherjee
- Center for Research on Environment and Water (CREW), National Institute of Technology Durgapur, MG Avenue, Durgapur, India
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Garg P, Krishan G. Radon Concentration Measurement in Groundwater of Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.12944/cwe.12.2.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Groundwater is the largest fresh water resource and radon is a radioactive naturally occurring noble gas that may be found anywhere in soil, air and water due to decay of uranium in rocks. It is important to investigate the radon in groundwater to safeguard against the health hazard caused due radon. The results presented here are from radon concentrations measured using RAD7 detector in 9 representative groundwater samples collected from hand pumps from southern parts of Roorkee in Haridwar district of Uttrakhand. Radon activity concentration was found in the range of 0.55+0.22 Bq L-1 to 3.39+0.28 Bq L-1 with an average value of 2.16+0.37 Bq L-1. Radon values were compared with United State Environmental Protection Agency value of 11 Bq L-1. The radon activity trend was found within the permissible limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Garg
- National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, 247667 Uttarakhand India
| | - Gopal Krishan
- National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, 247667 Uttarakhand India
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