Quantification of radiological dose and chemical toxicity due to radon and uranium in drinking water of Indian Himalaya

Abstract The present study had an objective to approximate radon (Rn222) and uranium (U238) as a naturally occurring radioactive constituent in spring-water samples and assessment of AED (annual effective dose), radiological risks; and chemical toxicity, when spring-water is the source of drinking water. Based on the population density in study area (Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand India), random sampling process was adopted for the collection of water samples from eighty natural springs. The concentration of Rn222 and U238 was estimated using Advanced SMART RnDuo and digital LED fluorimeter respectively. The observed values were subjected to statistical analysis to illustrate the spatial distribution of Rn222 and U238 in the study area as well as for determination of associated health risks for inhabitants. The results revealed that radon activity in spring-water samples varied from 3.4 to 101.3 Bq/L with a mean value of 34.4±3.8 Bq/L while the uranium concentration in water samples ranged from 0.1 to 28.4 μg/L. In 84% samples radon concentration has been found more than the permissible limit prescribed by USEPA (2008). The observations for electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolve solids (TDS) were also found within the recommended limits of WHO (2011). Thus the radon concentration in spring-water in study area is a matter to concern for radiological prospective as well as the chemical toxicity for infants and children.