1
|
Shah SSA, Asif AR, Ilahi M, Haroon H, Islam I, Qadir A, Nisar I, Sani MMU, Iqbal R, Rahman MHU, Arslan M, Alwahibi MS, Elshikh MS, Ditta A. Geographical distribution of radon and associated health risks in drinking water samples collected from the Mulazai area of Peshawar, Pakistan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6042. [PMID: 38472226 PMCID: PMC10933375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55017-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Geospatial methods, such as GIS and remote sensing, map radon levels, pinpoint high-risk areas and connect geological traits to radon presence. These findings direct health planning, focusing tests, mitigation, and policies where radon levels are high. Overall, geospatial analyses offer vital insights, shaping interventions and policies to reduce health risks from radon exposure. There is a formidable threat to human well-being posed by the naturally occurring carcinogenic radon (222Rn) gas due to high solubility in water. Under the current scenario, it is crucial to assess the extent of 222Rn pollution in our drinking water sources across various regions and thoroughly investigate the potential health hazards it poses. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the concentration of 222Rn in groundwater samples collected from handpumps and wells and to estimate health risks associated with the consumption of 222Rn-contaminated water. For this purpose, groundwater samples (n = 30) were collected from handpumps, and wells located in the Mulazai area, District Peshawar. The RAD7 radon detector was used as per international standards to assess the concentration of 222Rn in the collected water samples. The results unveiled that the levels of 222Rn in the collected samples exceeded the acceptable thresholds set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) of 11.1 Bq L-1. Nevertheless, it was determined that the average annual dose was below the recommended limit of 0.1 mSv per year, as advised by both the European Union Council and the World Health Organization. In order to avoid the harmful effects of such excessive 222Rn concentrations on human health, proper ventilation and storage of water in storage reservoirs for a long time before use is recommended to lower the 222Rn concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Samran Ali Shah
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, Ealing, London, UK
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rahim Asif
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Manzoor Ilahi
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- GIS & Space Applications in Geosciences (G-SAG) Lab, National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Haseeb Haroon
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Ihtisham Islam
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- Department of Geology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir (U), 18000, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Qadir
- Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Shakarparian National Park, Garden Ave, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Nisar
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | | | - Rashid Iqbal
- Department of Agronomy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammed Habib Ur Rahman
- Agroecology and Organic Farming Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Crop Science, INRES, University of Bonn, Germany, Bonn, Germany
| | - Muhammad Arslan
- Agroecology and Organic Farming Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Mona S Alwahibi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Allah Ditta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir (U), 18000, Pakistan.
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khan SM, Pearson DD, Eldridge EL, Morais TA, Ahanonu MIC, Ryan MC, Taron JM, Goodarzi AA. Rural communities experience higher radon exposure versus urban areas, potentially due to drilled groundwater well annuli acting as unintended radon gas migration conduits. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3640. [PMID: 38409201 PMCID: PMC10897331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Repetitive, long-term inhalation of radioactive radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, with exposure differences being a function of geographic location, built environment, personal demographics, activity patterns, and decision-making. Here, we examine radon exposure disparities across the urban-to-rural landscape, based on 42,051 Canadian residential properties in 2034 distinct communities. People living in rural, lower population density communities experience as much as 31.2% greater average residential radon levels relative to urban equivalents, equating to an additional 26.7 Bq/m3 excess in geometric mean indoor air radon, and an additional 1 mSv/year in excess alpha radiation exposure dose rate to the lungs for occupants. Pairwise and multivariate analyses indicate that community-based radon exposure disparities are, in part, explained by increased prevalence of larger floorplan bungalows in rural areas, but that a majority of the effect is attributed to proximity to, but not water use from, drilled groundwater wells. We propose that unintended radon gas migration in the annulus of drilled groundwater wells provides radon migration pathways from the deeper subsurface into near-surface materials. Our findings highlight a previously under-appreciated determinant of radon-induced lung cancer risk, and support a need for targeted radon testing and reduction in rural communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selim M Khan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Robson DNA Science Centre, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dustin D Pearson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Robson DNA Science Centre, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Evangeline L Eldridge
- Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tiago A Morais
- Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marvit I C Ahanonu
- School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - M Cathryn Ryan
- Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Joshua M Taron
- School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Aaron A Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Robson DNA Science Centre, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Turhan Ş, Kurnaz A, Aydın E. Assessment of internal radiation exposure caused by radon in commercially bottled spring waters consumed in Turkey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:1215-1226. [PMID: 37165966 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2211948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The variation of dissolved radon levels in water supplies remains of interest since radon ingested through drinking water can give considerable radiation to the lining of the stomach. This study aims to determine the radon concentration levels in bottled spring drinking water (BSW) brands commercially sold in Turkey using a radon gas monitor and to assess the internal radiation exposure caused by the ingestion and inhalation of radon. The activity concentrations of radon analyzed in 77 BSW brands varied from 7.1±0.8 to 28.7±2.7 mBq/L with an average of 15.7±5.1 mBq/L. The total annual effective dose was estimated to assess the radiological risk for three age groups in four different scenarios based on annual drinking water intake. All estimated dose values are well below the recommended reference dose of 100 µSv for drinking water. Therefore, radon gas in the investigated BSW samples poses no significant radiological risk to the public.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Şeref Turhan
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Aslı Kurnaz
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Erol Aydın
- Department of Physics, Institute of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jamasali YD, Turhan Ş, Bakır TK, Altuner EM, Duran C, Hançerlioğulları A, Kurnaz A. Evaluation of radiological health risk due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in commercial packaged fruit juices consumed in Turkey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023:1-11. [PMID: 38131128 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2297712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Fruit juices (FJs) are among the most popular beverages frequently preferred by consumers, believing FJs contain the nutritional values, minerals, phytochemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants necessary for a healthy life. However, FJs may contain natural radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), which originates from the fruit and water utilized in their production, at levels that may pose a health risk to people. Inhalation and ingestion of 222Rn gas increases the risk of lung and stomach cancer. In this study, commercially packaged FJs from the seventeen most popular brands consumed in Turkey were analyzed for physicochemical properties and 222Rn activity concentrations to evaluate the radiological health risk. The values of pH, brix and 222Rn activity concentrations in FJ samples varied from 2.68 to 4.28, 2.50 to 14.30%, 9.6 ± 1.1 to 25.2 ± 2.5 mBq/L, respectively. The radiological health risk caused by internal exposure was evaluated for children and adults by estimating the ingestion and inhalation annual effective dose. The average values of the total annual effective dose for children and adults were found as 0.039 µSv and 0.056 µSv, respectively, which are much lower than the recommended dose of 100 µSv for drinking water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusof-den Jamasali
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
- Department of Physics, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines
| | - Şeref Turhan
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | - Temel K Bakır
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | - Ergin M Altuner
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | - Celalattin Duran
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | | | - Aslı Kurnaz
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Investigation of indoor 222Rn, 220Rn and their progeny in Punjab, northwestern India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08674-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|