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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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Khan MH, Xiao Y, Yang H, Wang L, Zhang Y, Hu W, Wang J, Liu G, Liu W. Identification of hydrochemical fingerprints, quality and formation dynamics of groundwater in western high Himalayas. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:305. [PMID: 38407661 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12466-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Identifying hydrochemical fingerprints of groundwater is a challenge in areas with complex geological settings. This study takes the Gilgit-Baltistan, a complex geological area in west high Himalayas, Pakistan, as the study area to get insights into the hydrochemcial genesis and quality of groundwater in complex geological mountainous regions. A total of 53 samples were collected across the area to determine the hydrochemical characteristics and formation of groundwater. Results revealed groundwater there is characterized by slightly alkaline and soft fresh feature. Groundwater is dominated by the hydrochemical facies of HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg type. The factor method yields three components (PCs) of principal component analysis, which together explain 75.71% of the total variances. The positive correlation of EC, TDS, Ca2+, SO42-, K+ in PC1, and NO3-, Cl- in PC2 indicate that a combination of natural and anthropogenic activities influences groundwater hydrochemistry. Water-rock interaction is the main mechanism governing the natural hydrochemistry of groundwater. The negative correlation of Cl-, SO42-, Ca2+, and Na+ with NDVI attributes to inorganic salt uptake by plant roots. Groundwater chemical composition is also affected by the type of land use. Groundwater is characterized as excellent and good water quality based on the entropy-weighted water quality index assessment, and is suitable for drinking purposes except for very few samples, while aqueous fluoride would pose potential health threats to water consumers in western high Himalayas, and infants are most at risk compared to other populations. This study will help to deepen the hydrochemial formation mechanism and exploitation suitability of groundwater resources in the mountainous areas that undergone the combined actions of nature and human activities, and provide insights into the characteristics of water environmental quality in western Himalayas area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Haziq Khan
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Yong Xiao
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Cycling and Eco-Geological Processes, Xiamen, 361021, China.
| | - Hongjie Yang
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Wenxu Hu
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Gongxi Liu
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
| | - Weiting Liu
- Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China
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Muhammad S, Haq A. Spatial distribution of radon contamination in hot springs water and its cancer and non-cancer risks in the Hunza-Nagar valley, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:5829-5840. [PMID: 37160537 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01596-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Radon (222Rn) is a ubiquitous radioactive gas and could threaten human life due to its potential for cancer and non-cancer risks. This study examined the measurement of 222Rn concentration and associated health risks in the hot springs of Hunza-Nagar valley. For this purpose, the hot springs water of Hunza and Nagar districts and the background sites were analyzed for 222Rn concentration using the RAD7 detector (Durridge Company, USA). The average concentrations of 222Rn were 46.1 ± 0.94, 65.3 ± 0.45, and 5.47 ± 0.25 Bq/L in the Hunza district, Nagar district, and background sites, respectively. Results showed that 222Rn concentrations of hot springs water were multifold higher than the background sites. 222Rn concentrations for hot springs water in Hunza-Nagar valley had surpassed the maximum contamination level set by the US environmental protection agency (USEPA). Humans' annual mean exposure dose rates of various age groups were calculated for the estimated lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and non-cancer risks. The total annual mean exposure doses from 222Rn in water (EwTotal) values were (187 ± 3.80, 265 ± 1.84, and 22.2 ± 1.02 μSv/a) for infants (143 ± 2.92, 203 ± 1.40, and 17.0 ± 0.78 μSv/a) children, and (138 ± 2.80, 196 ± 1.35, and 16.4 ± 0.76 μSv/a) adults in the Hunza district, Nagar district, and background, respectively. Among the age groups of humans, infants showed a higher risk than others. Results showed that hot springs water consumption surpassed the world health organization threshold of 100 μSv/y for chronic or non-cancer and USEPA 0.1 × 10-3 for ELCR risks. The concentration of 222Rn showed a positive correlation (> 0.68) with hot springs' water temperature and pH suggesting a common origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Muhammad
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan.
| | - Anwarul Haq
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan
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Ijaz J, Ali W, Muhammad S, Ullah H, Ather D, Ud Din I. Annual effective dose estimation of radon in drinking water sources of Nizampur basin, North Western Pakistan. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2023; 59:539-553. [PMID: 37920884 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2023.2276218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehangir Ijaz
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Wajid Ali
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Said Muhammad
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Hayat Ullah
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Danish Ather
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Imran Ud Din
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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Salazar‐Carballo PA, López‐Pérez M, Martín‐González ME, Hernández‐Suarez F, Martín‐Luis MC. Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000704. [PMID: 36789206 PMCID: PMC9911345 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
La Cueva del Viento is a volcanic lava tube located in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). Its touristic section, 180 m long, receives more than 28,200 visitants each year. According to the European and Spanish legislation, a radon monitoring program is required to minimize the radon exposition of workers, tourists, and cavers. In this work, we studied the radon concentration dynamics in the touristic section of the cave for ca. 1 year, using both passive and active radon detectors. Pluviometry and external air temperature played an important role in the seasonal and daily variations of indoor radon concentrations. Daily fluctuations during the dry season were analyzed using time series (Box-Jenkins methodology) and frequency analysis (Fourier and Wavelet transforms) methods. The experimental radon time-series was well-fitted using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model: Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (2,0,1) (2,1,0)24, and its value, in a short-time window (ca. 1 week) was conveniently forecasted. Finally, this work revealed that the annual effective doses received, during the observation period (1 year), by the touristic guides and visitors was ca. 2 mSv/yr and 4 μSv/hr, respectively. We concluded that the touristic exploitation of La Cueva del Viento is safe for both tourists and guides. However, based on our results, La Cueva del Viento had to be classified as a "Monitoring zone" and a regular monitoring program should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Salazar‐Carballo
- Departamento de Medicina Física y FarmacologíaFacultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad de La LagunaSan Cristóbal de La LagunaSpain
- Laboratorio de Física Médica y Radioactividad AmbientalSEGAIUniversidad de La LagunaSan Cristóbal de La LagunaSpain
| | - María López‐Pérez
- Laboratorio de Física Médica y Radioactividad AmbientalSEGAIUniversidad de La LagunaSan Cristóbal de La LagunaSpain
| | | | - Francisco Hernández‐Suarez
- Laboratorio de Física Médica y Radioactividad AmbientalSEGAIUniversidad de La LagunaSan Cristóbal de La LagunaSpain
| | - M. Candelaria Martín‐Luis
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y GeologíaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de La LagunaSan Cristóbal de La LagunaSpain
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