Radon quantification in water and dose estimation via inhalation and ingestion across age groups in the Pattan region of North Kashmir, India.

Abstract

Human survival hinges on access to water, which provides vital necessities. It is crucial to secure reliable, affordable, and uncontaminated water to maintain health and sustain life. For the potential impact of radioactive water pollution on human well-being, a scintillation-based smart RnDuo detector was employed in the Pattan region of North Kashmir Baramulla to quantify radon levels in diverse underground water. The dose contribution to various organs through inhalation and ingestion pathways has been analyzed. The study assesses the levels of radon in water, which varied from 19.88 to 74.37 Bq/L with an average of 37.65 Bq/L. All of the values were higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) suggested guideline of 11 Bq/L but lower than the 100 Bq/L prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The age group-wise inhalation and ingestion doses are higher than the 100 μSv/y recommended by WHO but within the prescribed range of 3-10 mSv/y as suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Doses to various organs (lungs and stomach) are also calculated in the present study. The results of the present investigation will help to enhance the quality of the water and guide future epidemiological studies.