Health risk assessment of radon gas in water samples of Al-Kifl District and Al-Mahawil Center in Babylon Governorate

Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq

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Abstract

This study is concerned with developing radon gas concentrations in tap water samples. Radon gas was detected in selected drinking water samples from residential houses. A total of 20 samples were collected. Ten samples were taken from Al-Kafl, and ten were taken from Al-Mahawel. The radon concentration, the annual effective dose, and the cancer risk were calculated. The radon concentrations ranged from (0.157 Bq. L^-1) to (0.320 Bq. L^-1) at a rate of (0.179 Bq. L^-1) and these values are less than the permissible limit (0.5 Bq. L^-1) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and EPA. As for the annual effective dose, it ranged from (0.401 μSv. y^-1) to (0.817 μSv. y^-1) at a rate of (0.457 μSv. y^-1). It is also less than the permissible limit (100 μSv.y^-1) or (0.1 mSv.y^-1). As for the risk of cancer, it ranged from (0.0154 ∗ 10⁻⁴) to for(0.0314 ∗ 10⁻⁴) at a rate, which is less than the permissible limit (10^-4). On this basis, there are no danger signs for individuals to consume or drink this water.