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This paper reports the concentrations of uranium and heavy metals in drinking water samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India determined using LED Fluorimeter and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the consumption of uranium in water were estimated for the public. The concentrations of natural uranium in the analyzed drinking water samples vary from 0 to 21.57 ppb with a mean value of 1.54 ppb. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed drinking water samples were found to be in the order of iron (3.99 ppm) > zinc (0.32 ppm) > copper (0.04 ppm) > nickel (0.01 ppm) > chromium and lead (Below Detection Level). The estimated risk quantities were found to be lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the accumulation of radon gas in the indoor environment of a test village in Tehri Garhwal, India. Radon gas accumulation was estimated from the radon exhalation rate, radium content in the soil, and radon concentration in indoor air. The measured and estimated radon concentrations in the indoor environment were observed to vary from 31 ± 25 to 177 ± 56 Bq/m3 (arithmetic mean = 69 Bq/m3) and 48 to 272 Bq/m3 (arithmetic mean = 108 Bq/m3), respectively. The results of this study may be helpful in understanding the behaviour of radon transport and its accumulation in enclosed spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon, thoron, and their progeny concentrations, seasonal variation in the indoor environment have been measured for dose assessment to the residents for first time using a single-entry pinhole dosimeters and deposition-based radon/thoron progeny sensors. A total of 100 dosimeters were deployed in 25 villages. These values are found to be higher in winter than rainy and summer season which may be due to inadequate ventilation conditions. The average annual effective inhalation dose has been found to be 0.90 mSvy−1, which is below the recommended level of International Commission on Radiological Protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze groundwater contamination with uranium, groundwater samples were collected from the major industrial area of Jalandhar, Punjab, India (as the industrial effluent is found to contain a large number of heavy metals) and analyzed using ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) for uranium-238. Uranium-238 concentrations in groundwater ranged from 4.96 µg/L and 38.52 µg/L, with an average of 17.0 µg/L. All the values of uranium concentration and uranium activity concentration in the samples were found within the permissible range by the World Health Organization (WHO). The hazard quotient for all the samples is found to be below one, indicating very low or no risk to the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study to assess the uranium exposure due to ingestion of groundwater in Fatehabad district of Haryana has been carried out. Total 49 drinking water samples were collected from different locations of the district. Two groundwater tests taken near the power plant site exceeded the World Health Organization's recommended threshold limit of 30 μg L−1 (WHO in Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edn, World Health Organization, Geneva, pp 1–564., 2011). The average radiological and chemical toxicity risks are below recommended limit. Because of their high organ sensitivity, babies are found to have the highest annual effective dose among the several life stage groups for which it was estimated. Positive correlations were found between the content of uranium in groundwater samples and EC, TDS, salinity, redox potential, and dissolved oxygen whereas a negative connection with pH has been noted. Organ-specific dosage resulting from uranium ingestion has been investigated using the hair compartment model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the activity concentration of radioactive nuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in different types of rocks in the lesser Himalayan mountainous region in Jammu and Kashmir, India have been measured using Sodium Iodide and High purity germanium detectors. The advanced smart RnDuo monitor was utilized for assessing radon and thoron exhalation rates and the results vary from 14.82 to 37.85 mBqkg−1 h−1 and 124–372 mBqm−2 s−1 respectively. The radium equivalent activities of the studied samples have been calculated to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these rocks in the construction of dwellings. All the rock samples have radium equivalent activities lower than the limit set in the OECD report (370 Bq Kg−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements of radon/thoron exhalation rates from soil are useful to know high risk potential area from the view point of health effects. The exhalation rates have been estimated in 50 soil samples taken from Barnala and Moga districts of Punjab, India using scintillation based detector, Smart RnDuo. Soil samples have been collected using grid pattern of 6 × 6 km2 for uniform mapping of the area. The radon mass exhalation rates have been found to vary from 4.56 ± 0.53 to 41.13 ± 1.21 mBqkg−1 h−1 with an average value of 24.8 ± 1 mBqkg−1 h−1 which are lower than the worldwide average value of 57 mBqkg−1 h−1. The thoron surface exhalation rates lie in the range from 1.50 ± 0.63 to 23.77 ± 1.52 kBqm−2 h−1 with mean value of 15.62 ± 1.24 kBqm−2 h−1 which are higher than worldwide average value of 3.60 kBqm−2 h−1 as reported by UNSCEAR 2000. These exhalation rates are indicative of less radon levels in this study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive elements have coexisted in our environment and the health risks assessment for humans associated with the presence of these radioactive elements in the environment is necessary. This study was conducted in the Mansa district of Punjab for estimating the health risks to the people living in the region. 22 Soil and water samples from collected from various locations in the district. The range of Ra, Th and K in the soil samples varied from 28.09 Bq/kg to 55.91 Bq/kg, from 23.32 Bq/kg to 79.64 Bq/kg and from 189.22 Bq/kg to 425.58 Bq/kg, respectively. Doses to different organs have been calculated and ultimately Expected lifetime cancer risk varies from 0.79 × 10−3 to 1.46 × 10−3 for indoor and 0.08 × 10−3 to 0.15 × 10−3 for outdoor which is well below the safe limit of 3.5 × 10−3. The average concentration of Uranium in groundwater samples is found to be 37.95 µg/L, which is above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard limit of 30 µg/L. But the values of Life time average daily dose (LADD) and Hazard quotient (HQ) is found to be below the standard limit by WHO. Bones are found to be the most affected organ followed by Kidneys from the study of organ specific doses. The study suggests more intense detailed survey of Mansa district by increasing the number of sampling sites and correlate it with the other water and soil quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil and uranium concentration in groundwater samples collected from Sikar, Rajasthan were estimated for dosimetric purposes. Uranium content in 48 groundwater samples measured using LED fluorimeter, ranged from 0.50 µg L−1 to 93.41 µg L−1. Uranium concentration in 27% groundwater samples exceeded the safe limit (30 µg L−1) advocated by WHO and USEPA. Radio- toxicity quantified as 'Excess Cancer Risk' and chemo-toxicity as 'Lifetime Annual Daily Dose' and 'Hazard Quotient' exhibited minor concerns. The mean activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K content in soil samples determined using NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer were 50.28 Bq kg−1, 34.16 Bq kg−1 and 587.45 Bq kg−1, respectively. Health risk assessment due to radiation exposure form soil was carried out considering indoor/outdoor environmental conditions and age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study has been carried out for dose estimation from attached/unattached progeny fractions of radon and thoron using wiremesh capped DTPS/DRPS. The measured annual average attached radon/thoron progeny concentration (EERCA and EETCA) in the dwellings has been found to be 5.93 Bqm−3 and 0.43 Bqm−3 respectively. The calculated inhalation dose due to unattached fractions of radon progeny has been found to vary from 0.01 to 40.54 mSvy−1 with mean value of 5.48 mSvy−1 due to mouth breathing and from 0.01 to 9.42 mSvy−1 with mean value of 1.5 mSvy−1 for nasal breathing and the annual effective dose due to radon and thoron progeny has been found to vary from 0.17 to 1.11 mSvy−1and from 0.06 to 0.47 mSvy−1 respectively. These values lie well below the recommended safe range of 4 mSvy−1 at work places and 14 mSvy−1 at residential places (ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) in Radiological protection against radon exposure. ICRP Publication ref 4836-9756-8598. ICRP, Stockholm, 2018). Hence, the indoor air in the study area is safe for breathing and poses no radiological health risk to the residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to assess dose received by individual tissues or organs of human beings from the exposure of indoor radon (Rn-222), thoron (Rn-220) and their progeny concentrations using single entry pinhole dosimeters and deposition based progeny sensors (DRPS/DTPS). The deployment of dosimeters were carried out in 75 dwellings across Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India. Annual and seasonal activity concentrations were monitored based on which dose distribution to various tissues and organs were assessed. The estimated average annual effective dose of the study area is 0.8 mSvy−1, which is lower than the ICRP recommended limit of 4 mSvy−1 (at work place) and 14 mSvy−1 (for residential buildings) (International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in Radiological protection against radon exposure, ICRP, Stockholm, 2018). Consequently, indoor radon may pose no health risk to the local population of the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation represents the annual effective dose received due to ingestion and inhalation of radon present in drinking water. As radon itself contributes 3–14% towards the total proportion of lung cancer (WHO in Handbook on indoor radon. A public health perspective, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2009). The samples were taken from Sri Ganganagar region of Rajasthan province in India to calculate radon concentration and thereby to study the health risk. Total 100 water samples were taken from different sources of water which have been classified into two different categories as underground water and surface water sources. In-situ measurements of Rn-222 concentration was carried out using scintillation based radon monitor. The values of Rn-222 concentration were found to lie between 0.13 ± 0.04 and 3.74 ± 0.26 BqL−1 with mean value of 0.92 ± 0.12 BqL−1. These values are far below the maximum contamination level of 100 BqL−1, recommended by WHO, 2004 (Guidelines for drinking-water quality, WHO, Geneva, 2004). The ingestion and inhalation doses have been calculated for infants, children and adults from the derived radon concentration. The calculated doses are below the recommended level of 100 µSvy−1 (World Health Organisation in Guidelines for drinking water quality. Health criteria and other information, WHO Press, Geneva, 2003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the assessment of primordial radionuclide contents (238U, 232Th, and 40K) and anthropogenic radionuclide content (137Cs) in the soil samples collected from the villages of Lower Himalayas of Jammu & Kashmir, India by using thallium doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)), a scintillator detector. The elemental concentration of U, Th, and K in soil samples has been calculated. The average values of radionuclide contents were found to be well within the average values suggested by UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of atomic radiation, sources and effects of ionizing radiation, 1). All values of various calculated radiological hazards were found to be below the recommended limits suggested by various agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radionuclides predominantly contribute to the radiological and chemical doses incurred by human beings. Among numerous radionuclides, uranium stands out as the primary contributor to human exposure, raising concerns on a global scale. The presence of radionuclides in groundwater presents a notable health risk to individuals consuming the water and the surrounding environment. Groundwater samples collected from various locations in the Nawanshahr and Rupnagar districts of Punjab, India, underwent analysis to estimate uranium levels. The concentration range in the studied areas varied from 11.98 to 67 μg l−1. The study disclosed the retention of uranium in various organs and tissues, including the kidneys, liver, skin, gastrointestinal tract, bones, and urinary bladder. Time-dependent studies indicated a non-saturation behavior of uranium in bones, liver, kidneys, and other soft tissues. Dosimetric models were employed to calculate radiological doses for specific organs and assess chemical toxicity, forming a crucial component of a comprehensive health risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural radioactivity levels, radon exhalation rates, and radiation doses in soil and cement samples taken from the area around the Kasimpur thermal power plant in Aligarh, India, are examined in this particular study. The average radon activity was 112.57 Bq m−3, with a range of 62.85–165.71 Bqm−3. The range of surface and mass exhalation rates was 0.87–2.29 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 22.59–59.57 mBq m−2 h−1, respectively. 361 ± 1.79–7.09 ± 1.87 Bq kg−1, 298.15 ± 49.67–351.30 ± 54.03 Bq/kg, and 40K showed activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranging from 9.38 ± 2.22 to 14.22 ± 2.65 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent and external hazard index levels were within acceptable ranges. The study gives important information on the radiological properties of soil and cement samples, which is required for analyzing environmental and health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]