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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.
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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.
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Muhammad S, Haq A. Spatial distribution of radon contamination in hot springs water and its cancer and non-cancer risks in the Hunza-Nagar valley, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:5829-5840. [PMID: 37160537 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01596-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Radon (222Rn) is a ubiquitous radioactive gas and could threaten human life due to its potential for cancer and non-cancer risks. This study examined the measurement of 222Rn concentration and associated health risks in the hot springs of Hunza-Nagar valley. For this purpose, the hot springs water of Hunza and Nagar districts and the background sites were analyzed for 222Rn concentration using the RAD7 detector (Durridge Company, USA). The average concentrations of 222Rn were 46.1 ± 0.94, 65.3 ± 0.45, and 5.47 ± 0.25 Bq/L in the Hunza district, Nagar district, and background sites, respectively. Results showed that 222Rn concentrations of hot springs water were multifold higher than the background sites. 222Rn concentrations for hot springs water in Hunza-Nagar valley had surpassed the maximum contamination level set by the US environmental protection agency (USEPA). Humans' annual mean exposure dose rates of various age groups were calculated for the estimated lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and non-cancer risks. The total annual mean exposure doses from 222Rn in water (EwTotal) values were (187 ± 3.80, 265 ± 1.84, and 22.2 ± 1.02 μSv/a) for infants (143 ± 2.92, 203 ± 1.40, and 17.0 ± 0.78 μSv/a) children, and (138 ± 2.80, 196 ± 1.35, and 16.4 ± 0.76 μSv/a) adults in the Hunza district, Nagar district, and background, respectively. Among the age groups of humans, infants showed a higher risk than others. Results showed that hot springs water consumption surpassed the world health organization threshold of 100 μSv/y for chronic or non-cancer and USEPA 0.1 × 10-3 for ELCR risks. The concentration of 222Rn showed a positive correlation (> 0.68) with hot springs' water temperature and pH suggesting a common origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Muhammad
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan.
| | - Anwarul Haq
- National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan
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Ajiboye Y, Isinkaye MO, Badmus GO, Faloye OT, Atoiki V. Pilot groundwater radon mapping and the assessment of health risk from heavy metals in drinking water of southwest, Nigeria. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08840. [PMID: 35146162 PMCID: PMC8818932 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Radon and heavy metals are sources of groundwater pollution and are identified as potential carcinogens. Southwest Nigeria's populace mostly relies on groundwater source for drinking. This study aims to map radon distribution in groundwater of southwest Nigeria and to determine the health risk of radon and heavy metal in drinking water. Radon concentrations of 145 groundwater samples were measured using RAD7 electronic radon detector and heavy metal concentrations of 52 groundwater samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Radon concentration distributions were delineated using geographical information system. Radon concentration of water samples ranges between 1.6 Bq l−1 and 271 Bq l−1 with an average value of 35.9 ± 38.4 Bq l−1. The average groundwater radon concentration is higher than US-EPA recommended level of 11.1 Bq l−1 but lower than the WHO recommended limit of 100 Bq l−1. The estimated average annual effective radiation doses to infants, children, and adults are 29 μSvy−1, 41 μSvy−1 and 92 μSvy−1 respectively. The radon distribution map of the study area reveals regions of high, medium, and low groundwater radon concentrations. The average concentration values of heavy metals in groundwater samples are of the order Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd. 84% of groundwater exhibits good to excellent quality in terms of heavy metal pollution. However, about 16% of the samples which lie in the sedimentary regions of Ogun and Lagos States exhibit poor to very poor quality. Overall, ingestion of groundwater in the study area may not pose a serious health hazards from radon ingestion and heavy metal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinka Ajiboye
- Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | | | - Ganiyu Olabode Badmus
- Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Corresponding author.
| | - Oluwaseun Temitope Faloye
- Department of Food and Biosystems Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Vincent Atoiki
- Department of Science Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
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