Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ministry of Education, Najaf Education Office, Najaf, Iraq
2
Ministry of Education, General Directorate for Wasit Education, Wasit, Iraq
3
Physics Department, Collage of Science, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq
4
Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
Abstract
Radon is occurring naturally, odorless, colorless, radioactive, tasteless, and a noble gas. It is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries. The rate of lung cancers attributable to radon is estimated to range from 3 to 14%. The dose exposure relation is linear, i.e. the risk of lung cancer increases proportionally with increasing radon exposure. So, it is necessary to measure radon concentrations in the drinking water that is of direct contact with human life and health. The study included measurement of radon (222Rn) concentrations in some selected samples of drinking water (bottled water) are available in the Iraqi market. 222Rn concentrations have been measured the usage of alpha spectroscopy (RAD-7). The RAD-7 measuring process is based on detecting alpha particles produced from the disintegration of radon and its products using a solid-state alpha detector (usually silicon), and then converting alpha radiation directly to an electrical signal. The annual effective dose and lifetime cancer risk in six age groups (3 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and adult) associated with the exposure due to an annual intake of 222Rn were calculated. Results show that the average value of radon concentrations in drinking water samples was ranged from 28.4±2.7 mBq/L to 283±0.34 mBq/L. Also, it is found the average value of annual effective dose in unit µSv/y for six age groups were 0.48±0.08, 0.62±0.11, 0.18±0.03, 0.22±0.04, 0.37±0.06, and 0.27±0.05, respectively. The average value of lifetime cancer risk in same age groups were (17.99±3.26, 31.13±5.65, 46±8.37, 107.33±19.41, 276.5±50, and 926.33±168)×10-9 respectively. The results of 222Rn concentrations in the present study were found lower than the data of the recommended reference WHO 2008 (500 mBq/L or Bq/m3). Also, the results showed that the annual effective dose from drinking water exhaustion in six age groups were found lower than the permitted limit of (1mSv) suggested by UNSCEAR 2000. As well as, values of lifetime cancer risk were within the accepted level (10-3). Therefore, there are no indications of significant threat from radon concentrations in bottled water brands, and it is safe as far as a health risk is concerned.
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