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This study explores age-dependent ingestion doses arising from uranium accumulation in drinking water sources (both groundwater and surface water) in Rupnagar, Punjab, and Una, Himachal Pradesh. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were assessed in collected water samples to calculate the water quality index, indicating good water quality in both regions. The study also analyzed uranium concentration in groundwater at varying depths, revealing no significantly high values. The average radiological risk was found to be consistent with reported values, and chemical risk hazard quotient data indicated no adverse health effects from uranium ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed natural radioactivity in Rohtak and Jind districts, Haryana, India. Concentrations of radionuclides in soil and building materials were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The "Canister Technique" was employed to estimate radon mass exhalation and surface exhalation rates. Results showed low radiation doses from soil radioactivity, with activity concentrations ranging from 3.7 to 51.7 Bq/kg for radium, 7.3 to 96 Bq/kg for thorium, and 52.2 to 585 Bq/kg for potassium. The findings also calculated radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose rate, hazard indices, and excess life time cancer risk. This research highlights the importance of understanding natural radioactivity for assessing environmental radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating groundwater uranium concentration is crucial for assessing the radiological impact on human health due to radionuclide ingestion. This study quantifies uranium concentration in groundwater samples collected from various sources in the Patiala district, Punjab. LED Fluorimeter is employed for direct determination of uranium. Results reveal that 78% of locations have uranium concentration below the WHO limit of 30 µg/L, while 22% exceed the safe limit. However, all samples are below the AERB-recommended 60 µg/L limit. The uranium concentration in the groundwater ranges from 5.59 to 57.53 µg/L, with an average concentration of 24.57 µg/L. The variation in uranium concentration is influenced by factors such as pH and the water source. Radiation dose, cancer risk, and daily intake are calculated, suggesting most samples are safe for drinking, but prolonged consumption in high-uranium areas poses health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the, exhalation rate, and natural radioactivity in the soil of Roopnagar district, Punjab. The radon mass and surface exhalation rate ranged from 1.18 mBq kg−1 h−1 to 5.72 mBq kg−1 h−1, with an average value of 2.68 mBq kg−1 h−1, and from 4.89 mBq m−2 h−1 to 23.58 mBq m−2 h−1, with an average value of 11.09 mBq m−2 h−1, respectively. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found to be 31.9 Bq kg−1, 44.1 Bq kg−1, and 419.0 Bq kg−1, respectively. The air absorbed dose rates of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K had an average value of 14.88 nGyh−1, 27.4 nGyh−1, and 5.89 nGyh−1, respectively. The total air absorbed dose from all radionuclides ranged from 19.5 nGyh−1 to 87.7 nGyh−1, with an average value of 48.1 nGyh−1, which is discovered to be well below the levels considered dangerous by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report focuses on assessing the human health risks associated with radioactivity in the environment. It presents data on the concentration of radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40), as well as radon and thoron exhalation rates from agricultural soils in Punjab's Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts. The study found that the radionuclides present in the soil contribute significantly to inhalation doses. The concentration of these radionuclides in the soil affects indoor radon and thoron levels, as they are a source of indoor gas. Soil samples were collected from ten agricultural fields and analyzed using gamma spectroscopy technique. The results provide information on specific activity, radon exhalation rates, thoron surface exhalation rates, radium equivalent activity, external, and internal index, annual effective dose, and excess life time cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of uranium and its decay product radon in water are the most important concern in human health. In this paper, efforts have been made to measure and correlate the uranium (Using an LED Fluorimeter) and radon concentrations (Using SMART RnDuo) in the water samples from the Budhakedar region of the Garhwal Himalaya to assess the risk. The concentrations of uranium and radon in the water samples were found to vary between Below Detection Level (BDL) to 1.70 Bq L−1 (with an arithmetic mean of 0.15 Bq L−1) and 0.43 to 1.29 Bq L−1 (with an arithmetic mean of 0.75 Bq L−1) respectively. The annual effective dose to the inhabitants of the study region was also calculated for the different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of uranium in groundwater has become a growing concern due to its potential health implications. This abstract focuses on the assessment of uranium concentrations in groundwater samples collected from the Kangra district. The study employed rigorous sampling and analysis techniques to evaluate the extent of uranium contamination and its distribution in the groundwater resources of the region. A comprehensive survey was conducted across various locations within the Kangra district, involving the collection of groundwater samples from different depths and geological formations. The collected samples were subjected to meticulous laboratory analysis, employing advanced spectroscopic method of LED fluorimeter to quantify uranium concentrations. The findings reveal varying levels of uranium in the groundwater samples, with concentrations ranging from minimal to elevated levels. The distribution of uranium was observed to be influenced by geological factors, hydrological characteristics, and anthropogenic activities. This research contributes to the understanding of little uranium contamination in the Kangra district's groundwater, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders striving to ensure the safety and sustainability of the region's water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on assessing the potential health implications of radon gas exposure in the drinking water of the Una district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The radon concentration from fifty water samples was measured by a Smart RnDuo monitor. The measured value of radon collectively for groundwater and surface water samples ranges from 0.82 ± 0.01 to 23.45 ± 0.87 Bq L−1, with a midest concentration of 15.25 ± 0.21 Bq L−1. A comparative analysis was done for twenty samples using RAD7 to standardize the technique. A positive correlation exists between these two techniques with R2 = 0.84. Additionally, the annual effective dose (AED) of radon consumption and inhalation was calculated for distinct generations, such as infants, children, and adults. Also the AED calculated for different organs. The measured concentrations were within safe limits, and the calculated dose distributions across different age groups confirmed the absence of considerable health risks from radon in the water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon (222Rn) and Thoron (220Rn) are radioactive noble gases which are produced in the decay chain of primordial radionuclides 238U and 232Th. These gases have been established as an important source of inhalation radiation dose to human which increases risk of lung cancer. Similarly the terrestrial 226Ra, 232Th, 40K are known to contribute to cumulative external background exposure to humans. In the present study, these radionuclides of concern were measured in the environment of monuments and museums in the state of Punjab and the resultant dose was calculated for the occupants. The calculated Annual Inhalation Dose level varied from 1.5 to 4.0 mSv with mean of 3.0 ± 0.8 mSv. The cumulative dose from all radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K is 47.0 ± 11.56 nGyh−1, found well within the safe limits of 86 nGyh−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an exertion has been made to assess the indoor 222Rn and 220Rn levels in dwellings of a Roopnagar district of Punjab, India. These estimations have been done in the rainy, winter, autumn and summer season. The average indoor radon concentration is 44 ± 14.08 Bq m−3, 57.40 ± 17.61 Bq m−3, 32.38 ± 12.59 Bq m−3 and 31.38 ± 7.48 Bq m−3 and thoron concentration are 56.91 ± 19.75 Bq m−3, 64.45 ± 23.90 Bq m−3, 45.98 ± 19.38 Bq m−3 and 43.39 ± 10.45 Bq m−3 for rainy, winter, autumn and summer seasons, respectively. The mean value of equilibrium equivalent radon and thoron concentration during the rainy season is 11.25 ± 2.91 Bq m−3 and 0.62 ± 0.14 Bq m−3 and during winter season is 13.36 ± 3.36 Bq m−3 and 0.85 ± 0.34 Bq m−3 respectively. For autumn season these values are 9.58 ± 1.43 Bq m−3 and 0.46 ± 0.11 Bq m−3, respectively. For summer season these values are 12.10 ± 1.57 Bq m−3 and 0.57 ± 0.99 Bq m−3, respectively. The annual inhalation dose comes out to be 0.98 ± 0.16 mSv. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon effect on human health need not be overemphasised. In the present study an attempt has been made to measure the concentration of indoor radon, thoron and annual effective dose received by residents of Nangal area of Roopnagar District of Punjab. Radium concentration and Radon exhalation in soil samples are also calculated. Indoor radon concentration varies from 93.1 Bqm−3 to 127.0 Bqm−3 with an average of 95.4 Bqm−3. The value of thoron concentration varies from 5.4 Bqm−3 to 47.2 Bqm−3 with an average of 24.0 Bqm−3. The observed annual effective dose varies from 2.3 mSv to 3.7 mSv which lies within safe limits recommended by ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection). Radon gas concentration in soil samples vary from 8.4 to 64.1 Bqm−3 with an average of 31.4 Bqm−3. The mass exhalation rate in samples vary from 0.2 to 2.7 mBq kg−1 h−1 with an average of 1.1 mBq kg−1 h−1, whereas, surface exhalation rate vary from 6.9 to 52.5 mBq m−2 h−1 with an average of 23.6 mBq m−2 h−1. The radium concentration ranges from 0.5 to 3.5 Bq kg−1 with an average of 1.8 Bq kg−1. The observed values of radium concentration in all soil samples are less than the recommended value 370 Bq kg−1 by OECD (Organization for Economic Corporation and Development). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]