Investigation of radioactivity level in soil and drinking water samples collected from the city of Erzincan,Turkey

This study is part of an effort to assess the level of background radiation for Erzincan Province of eastern Turkey. Radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were measured through gamma-ray spectrometry and the average activities were determined as 8.93, 11.39, 281.94, and 9.52 Bq/kg for the radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs, respectively. The average annual effective dose from these natural radioactivity sources (²³⁸U series, ²³²Th series and ⁴⁰K,) was calculated to be 27.9 μSv. Radioactivity levels in drinking and potable water samples were studied using a multi-channel low level proportional counter. The average gross alpha activity concentration was found to be 0.0477 Bq/L (min. 0.007 Bq/L; max. 0.421 Bq/L) and the average gross beta activity was measured as 0.104 Bq/L (min. 0.008 Bq/L; max. 1.806 Bq/L). These values lead to an average annual effective dose of 9.75 μSv from the alpha emitters and 56.34 μSv from the beta emitting radionuclides in water. The radioactivity levels in the water samples investigated were found to comply with the reference levels recommended by WHO and the regulations set forth by the Turkish Health Ministry.     

Radon concentration in drinking water sources of the Main Campus of the University of Peshawar and surrounding areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Radon and its progenies in indoor environment have been identified as the main sources of radiation dose to the people from natural radioactive sources. Presence of radon in drinking water causes radiation related health hazards both through inhalation and ingestion. In this study 36 drinking water samples from taps, boreholes and deep tube wells within the Main Campus of the University of Peshawar and adjoining area were analyzed with RAD7 electronic device for radon content determination. These water samples have a mean, maximum and minimum radon value of 8.8 ± 0.8, 18.2 ± 1.0, and 1.6 ± 0.3 Bq L⁻¹, respectively. Eleven drinking water samples analyzed have radon levels in excess of the EPA recommended maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹. These include 89% from tube wells, 8% from tap water, and 50% from shallow boreholes. Radon levels of about 31% of the total samples used by the inhabitants of the study area are higher than the EPA advised level of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹. The annual effective dose from radon in water due to its ingestion and inhalation per individual has also been estimated. The mean radon concentration and mean annual effective dose due to radon in water of this study have been compared with the mean radon concentration and mean annual effective dose of earlier investigators due to radon in water from different localities of India and Pakistan. The mean annual effective doses of all the samples are lower than the reference level of 0.1 mSv a⁻¹ for drinking water of WHO and EU Council. It has been concluded that drinking water of the study area is generally safe as far as radon related health hazards are concerned with the exception of a few isolated cases. It has been found that radon levels within the region have a positive correlation with depth of the water sources.     

Exposure to underground radon in and around Kolkata Municipal Corporation area: an exhaustive study

Air radon survey was carried out at different underground locations at Kolkata using radon monitor. Average radon concentration for basements was found to be 22.70 ± 1.12 Bq/m³ with maximum 59.00 ± 7.18 Bq/m³ and minimum 8.50 ± 3.14 Bq/m³. Average level for sub-ways was 23.05 ± 2.59 Bq/m³ fluctuating between maximum 39.00 ± 1.24 Bq/m³ and minimum 13.50 ± 1.78 Bq/m³. In comparison, open air background at basement entrance was 19.44 ± 1.06 Bq/m³ and subway entrance was 18.58 ± 1.14 Bq/m³. Annual effective dose was calculated to assess probable health risk. Radon concentration level and annual effective dose were found well below safe levels recommended by International Agencies WHO and UNSCEAR.

     

Fast liquid chromatographic determination of radiochemical and chemical purity of [11C]methionine by UPLC technique

Salinity, water logging, high nitrate, fluoride and dissolved uranium concentration in drinking water of southwest Punjab has impacted the local population leading to health issues and additional burden on economy. Though it was known that both U and its daughter products especially Rn contribute to radiological dose to the population through drinking water, there were no correlation studies carried out between these radioactive elements in U impacted regions of southwest Punjab. In this study, an initiative has been taken to assess the doses due to dissolved radon in drinking water. In addition, the U–Rn couple is evaluated in detail along with other hydrochemical parameters. The radon concentration ranges from 360–1700 Bq/m³ for Faridkot and 140–1400 Bq/m³ for Muktsar for both seasons and the related average total dose due to radon for both season of Faridkot and Muktsar are 9.79 µS/year and 7.74 µS/year respectively. The total dissolved uranium is in range of 16–350 µg/L for Faridkot and 14–106 µg/L for Muktsar for both seasons. An inverse correlation was observed between Rn and U, which could be attributed to diverse geochemistry of U and Rn in groundwater.

     

Radon concentration in air, hot spring water, and bottled mineral water in one hot spring area in Thailand

Hot springs are famous as spa resorts throughout the world. However, these areas usually have high natural radioactivity from radon gas. In this study radon concentrations in air, hot spring water, and bottled mineral water produced in a spa area of Suan Phueng district, Ratchaburi province, Thailand were measured. Radon concentrations in air were in the range of 10–17 and 11–147 Bq/m³ for outdoor and indoor, respectively. Committed effective dose from inhale of radon were assessed and found to be in the range of 0.004–0.025, 0.25–0.6, and 1.134 mSv/y for visitor, local people and resort workers, respectively. These doses were in the range of 1.2 mSv/y regulated by UNSCEAR for the general public. Radon in hot spring water ranged from 2–154 Bq/L. Radon in bottled mineral water produced from the hot spring water were in the range of 17–22 and 0.2–0.3 Bq/L for those that stored for 7 and 90 days, respectively, after production. Radon concentration levels were in the range of the US Environmental Protection Agency reference level for radon in air which is 148 Bq/m³ and alternative maximum concentration limit (AMCL) for raw water which is 150 Bq/L. However, when considering the USEPA (Maximum concentration limit), 11 Bq/L, for radon in drinking water, the mineral water should be stored for at least 8–9 days after bottling before selling to the market.     

Determination of tritium enrichment parameters of a commercially available PEM electrolyzer: a comparison with conventional enrichment electrolysis

The combination of an Ir/Pt PEM electrolyzer with a 1 L flow-through gas proportional counter was characterized for the quantification of tritium in water. The goal of the detection system is to quantify at concentrations below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primary drinking water standard (740 Bq/L) with minimal expendables. The detector operating voltage, efficiency, background count rate of the passively shielded counter were measured in order to calculate the minimum detectable concentration of the detection system. The electrolyzer fractionation factor β _e value deduced from the measurement of gas phase activity concentrations generated from tritium aqueous standards was found in good agreement with literature values.     

Estimation of underground water radon danger in Bakreswar and Tantloi Geothermal Region,India

The main aim of the study is to present an evaluation of radon concentration in underground water of Bakreswar and Tantloi geothermal region which is mainly used for drinking purposes of the local people. Water samples were collected from tube-wells at 173 different locations. The radon (²²²Rn) concentration level was observed to fluctuate widely between 3.3 and 803.8 Bq/l with an average of 106.8 Bq/l. Nearly 42% of the samples had radon concentration above the safe limit of 100 Bq/l recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Union Commission (EU). Considering the WHO and International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended water consumption rate for adults (730 l/year) the corresponding total annual effective dose of the samples were estimated to assess the probable health risk. Total annual effective dose of the samples were varied between 16.72 and 4079.47 µSv/year with an average value of 541.92 µSv/year. About 95% samples exceed the WHO and EU Commission proposed safe limit of 100 µSv/year.     

Determination of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in formation water during oil exploration

The present study is conducted, in order to contribute to a future waste management policy related to the presence of technologically enhanced natural occurring radioactive material (TENORM) in Iran petroleum industry. Samples were collected from offshore oil company for analysis of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, and ²³²Th series in produced waters. The activities of samples were determined by high-purity germanium detector, well for lowlevel activity γ-spectrometry. The results have shown that, ²²⁶Ra concentration ranges from 5.26 Bq/L to 27.93 Bq/L. Also the total activity in produced water is in the range of 16–840 Bq/L were mainly due to enhanced levels of dissolved ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁴Pb, ²¹⁴Bi ions. Also, enhanced dissolution of elements such as radium by increasing of salinity, result in higher concentration of NORM in old oil region. Measured values are above EPA regulation (40 CFR 141055) & aqueous Derived Release Limit (DRL) of Canadian guideline for the management of (NORM). Therefore produced water has to dispose in pits which have to design for decrease the environmental effects. Also according to this study, re-injection of produced water in to abandon well of Iran Offshore Oil Company in Persian Gulf, have preference over discharging to the pits.     

Radon survey in office room and effective dose estimation for staff

This study aims to: (1) Acquire the radon level in closed office rooms, providing radon exposure data for preliminary health risk assessment of office-working population. (2) Pre-analyze the relationship between radon concentration and indoor temperature, relative humidity. (3) Estimate seasonal, annual and total radon effective dose for ordinary office-working population. The results show that the 24-h or 8-h average radon concentrations in closed office rooms were about 32.0 Bq/m³ and 29.5 Bq/m³ during detection period, and the estimated effective doses in office rooms calculated by using 24-h and 8-h average radon concentrations were all far below that in residential environment.

     

Polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for rapid bioassay of <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in human urine samples

A rapid bioassay for ⁹⁰Sr was developed involving preconcentration of ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y from human urine samples with a cation exchange polymer (poly–acrylamido–methyl–propanesulfonic acid) coated onto magnetic nanoparticles, followed by selective elution of ⁹⁰Sr (over ⁹⁰Y) with phosphate for determination by liquid scintillation analysis. The minimum detectable activity for this method (4.9 ± 0.5 Bq/L) is lower than the required sensitivity of 19 Bq/L for ⁹⁰Sr in human urine samples, as defined in the requirements for radiation emergency bioassay techniques for the public and first responders based on the dose threshold for possible medical attention recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The relative bias was 9.2%, the relative precision was 3.2%, and the linear dynamic range covered 12–600 Bq/L. This simple and rapid bioassay method is found to be in compliance with the HPS ANSI N13.30 performance criteria for radiobioassay.     

Investigations on the presence and distribution of radon in the Cacica salt mine,Romania

An important parameter for evaluating the possibilities of use of enclosed spaces (mines, caves, spas, etc.) for therapeutic purposes is the concentration of radon in different conditions of ventilation. The aim of this paper is to present the results of continuous radon gas measurement that were performed for ten days, at 20 min time intervals in different locations from Cacica salt mine (Romania) using a portable radon monitor. The average radon concentration was found to be between 96.5 ± 4.76 Bq/m³ and 20.5 ± 1.30 Bq/m³. These values are suitable for therapeutic applications and are useful for future experiments regarding the development of the radon therapy and speleotherapy in this salt mine.     

Radon concentration in groundwater of Varahi and Markandeya river basins, Karnataka State, India

The present study presents an overview of the distribution of radon (²²²Rn) activity concentration in the groundwater samples and their annual effective dose exposure in the Varahi and Markandeya command areas. Radon measurement was made using Durridge RAD-7 radon-in-air monitor, using RAD H₂O technique with closed loop aeration concept. The measured ²²²Rn activities in 16 groundwater samples of Varahi command area ranged between 0.2 ± 0.4 and 10.1 ± 1.7 Bq L⁻¹ with an average value of 2.07 ± 0.84 Bq L⁻¹, well within the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹. In contrast, the recorded ²²²Rn activities in 14 groundwater samples of Markandeya command area found to vary from 2.21 ± 1.66 to 27.3 ± 0.787 Bq L⁻¹ with an average value of 9.30 ± 1.45 Bq L⁻¹. 21.4% of the samples (sample no. RMR5, RMR11 and RMR12) in the Markandeya command area exceeded the EPA’s MCL of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹ and it was found that some samples in both the command areas were found to have radon values close to MCL value. The spatial variation in the radon concentration in the Varahi and Markandeya command area were delineated by constructing the contour map. The total annual effective dose resulting from radon in groundwater of both Varahi and Markandeya command areas were significantly lower than the UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit for members of the public of 1 mSv year⁻¹.     

Evaluation of the radon concentration in Ocna Dej salt mine,Romania

Measurement of radon is of interest both for the health risk assessment and development of radon therapy in enclosed spaces like as caves, mines and spas. In Romania, radon therapy is not in use, yet. The development of this treatment method in mines from our country involves primarily, the evaluation of radon levels in the salt mines. In this paper, the results of radon gas measurement that were performed at Ocna Dej salt mine (Romania) are presented. The radon measurements were performed using two systems: radon monitor Pylon AB-5 system and CIS-P5M system. The average radon concentration was found to be between 9.14 ± 5.10 Bq/m³ and 31.70 ± 2.76 Bq/m³. These radon levels are lower in comparison to those reported for mines, caves or spas in other countries where radon therapy and speleotherapy is frequently in use. Radon concentration and environmental conditions from Ocna Dej salt mine are suitable for therapeutic applications.     

Preliminary studies on 222Rn concentration in ground water from selected areas of the Accra metropolis in Ghana

Preliminary studies on groundwater samples from selected wells in three communities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana have been carried out to determine the concentration of ²²²Rn. The studies were carried out in the dry season when the weather conditions were fairly stable and the communities depend mostly on groundwater sources for domestic use during this period. Measurements were carried out using gamma spectrometry. The average activity concentration obtained was 8.1 Bq/L with an average annual effective dose of 59.2 μSv. The result is within the range published by other countries and the recommended limit for radon in drinking water set by the World Health Organization.     

Thermophysical properties of neat and radiolytically degraded acidic extractants present in room temperature ionic liquid

In the present work, radon concentrations were measured in surface and underground water samples in Faridabad District of Southern Haryana, India using an active radon monitor based on alpha scintillation technique and results have been inter-compared. The average radon concentration in the underground water samples was observed to be 4 times higher than in the surface water samples. The estimated annual effective dose varied from 5.7 to 58.5 μSvy^?1 with an average of 24.2 μSvy^?1 for underground water samples and 1.1 to 12.5 μSvy^?1 with an average of 6.7 μSvy^?1 for surface water samples. The estimated annual effective dose for both type of samples was found to be less than 0.1 mSvy^?1, which is the safe limit as suggested by World Health Organisation and EU Council.

     

Radon measurement in carbonated water with the Lucas cell and charcoal adsorption methods

There have been developed several different methods for measuring radon concentration in water which are now widely used, such as: liquid scintillation counting, Lucas cell counting, gamma and alpha spectroscopy. However, as far as the radon measurements in carbonated water are concerned, there are some issues caused by the gas excess. The aim of our work was to develop a simple method for measuring radon concentration in carbonated water that can be used for in situ measurements. Nevertheless, we propose not one, but two methods for measuring radon concentration in carbonated water. Thus, the first one is based on Lucas scintillation cells, and can be used for on-site measurements, while the second one utilizes activated charcoal adsorption, and needs a setup laboratory for gamma spectrometry measurements. For the evaluation of the methods, we compared the results of the Lucas cell-Luk3C method and of the activated charcoal method, both for non-carbonated and carbonated water. The simplest method for radon concentration determination—Lucas cell method—was successfully applied to fourteen natural carbonated water samples from Borsec to Bilbor area. The radon concentrations obtained ranged from 5.6 ± 0.5 to 39.6 ± 4.0 Bq/L, with a mean of 15.9 ± 2.6 Bq/L, these values are lower than 100 Bq/L, the maximum value recommended by the World Health Organization.     

Radioactivity of plutonium isotopes, <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs and their ratio in sediment,seawater and biota from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

This study with sampling expeditions of marine sediment, seawater and biota were performed at 30 stations within Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A total of >400 samples were collected to determine the activity concentration of anthropogenic radionuclides (^239+240Pu, ¹³⁷Cs) and their activity ratio (^239+240Pu/¹³⁷Cs) in sediments, seawater and biota. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration levels for these radionuclides and to evaluate any occurrence of radioactive contamination. Sediment cores were obtained using multicorer device, while water samples via co-precipitation techniques and biota was purchased from local fishermen. The activity concentrations of ^239+240Pu in sediment, seawater and biota were ranged 0.21–0.45 Bq/kg dry wt., 2.33–7.95 mBq/m³ and <0.008 Bq/kg fresh wt., respectively. Meanwhile, the values of ¹³⁷Cs were ranged <1.00–2.71 Bq/kg dry wt. in sediment, 3.40–5.89 Bq/m³ in seawater and <0.05–0.41 Bq/kg fresh wt. in biota, respectively. Activity ratios of ^239+240Pu to ¹³⁷Cs obtained seem to confirm that these artificial radioactivities were mainly due to global nuclear fallout.     

Airborne and waterborne radon concentrations in areas with use of groundwater supplies

Summary A preliminary survey of airborne and waterborne radon concentrations was given for an area where groundwater is used as a source of public water supply. The average of the waterborne radon concentrations was 77 Bq/l for 36 samples and that of airborne radon concentrations was 18 Bq/m³for ten houses. It is concluded that the exposure dose due to radon-in-water is likely to be much smaller than the total dose from natural radiation.     

Evaluation of radon concentration and heavy metals in drinking water and their health implications to the population of Quetta,Balochistan, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to estimate the concentrations of radon and heavy metals in drinking water and assess their health implications to the population of Quetta, Pakistan. The concentration of radon and heavy metals was measured in drinking water collected from tube wells of different depths of the Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, using RAD7 detector and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, respectively. The results show that the concentration of radon ranged from 3.56 ± 0.98 to 8.56 ± 1.32Bq/L with an average of 5.67 ± 1.34Bq/L. The average value of contribution of radon in water to indoor air was found 2.02 ± 0.47mBq/L. In addition to concentration of radon in drinking water, physiochemical parameters like pH and electrical conductivity (EC), and annual effective doses for different age groups were also estimated. Positive correlation of (R² = 0.8471) was observed between depth of well and concentration of radon, however no such relations were found among pH and EC with concentration of radon. Average values of annual effective doses due to intake of radon for age groups 0–1 years (infants), 2–16 years (Children) and ≥17 years (adults) were found (3.00 ± 0.71)×10^?2, (1.1 ± 0.26)×10^?2 and (1.45 ± 0.34)×10^?2 mSv/y, respectively. Average values of heavy metals concentrations were found 1.85 ± 0.64, 3.21 ± 0.75, 5.06 ± 1.19, and 2.47 ± 0.77 and 5.58 ± 1.23 µg/L for As, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb, respectively. The values of radon concentration and heavy metals in drinking water were found below the USEPA permissible limits, Thus we conclude that, the investigated waters are safe.     

Gross alpha-activity estimation in simulated high level waste after actinides partitioning by solid state nuclear track detection

The estimation of low level alpha activity is difficult in waste samples containing large concentration of salts and beta–gamma activity. In the present study, the feasibility of gross alpha-activity measurement for simulated high level waste (SHLW) in solution medium by alpha-track registration technique has been attempted. The results showed that it is possible to use this technique for gross alpha-activity estimation of ~200 Bq/mL in solution medium with a precision and accuracy of ~30%. The importance of measuring 200 Bq/mL alpha activity in SHLW solutions is that this value corresponds to about 4,000 Bq/g activity in the solid medium which is the safe disposable limit. The advantage of this method over other methods is that it is not sensitive to beta–gamma emitters and salts and is very simple and inexpensive.