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The primary goal of this study was to determine the risk due to radon concentration in drinking water. Water is essential for most of the life on the Earth, and the quality of drinking water is a key criterion for one's health. Radon (222Rn) and radium (226Ra) are the radioactive elements that can be found in water. Thirty samples of drinking water were collected in Haliyal, Joida, and Mundgod taluks of Uttara Kannada district. Emanometry technique was used to determine the concentration of 222Rn activity. The activity concentration of 222Rn in water varies between 3.78 ± 0.38 Bq l-1. and 135.96 ± 1.72 Bq l-1 with a mean value of 26.23 ± 0.65 Bq l-1. The cumulative average annual effective doses for all of the samples under investigation are well below the safe limit of 100 µSv y-1 suggested by WHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activities were investigated in soil samples of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, using γ-ray spectrometry. The average activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to vary from 15.2 ± 0.6 to 58 ± 1.2 Bq kg−1, 14 ± 0.6 to 86.2 ± 1.7 Bq kg−1, and 224.5 ± 5.5 to 1650 ± 20.3 Bq kg−1 with a mean value of 36.93 ± 1.0, 51.6 ± 1.3 and 566.97 ± 11.0 Bq kg−1. The average activity concentrations are slightly higher than world average value. The average annual effective dose is more than the Indian average value of 0.084 mSv y−1. The average values of all the radiological hazards are less than the criterion limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, radon concentrations were measured in 31 drinking water samples collected from different locations of the Chikmagalur city, Karnataka state, India, using emanometry technique. The measured radon concentrations ranged from 0.51 ± 0.1 Bq l−1 to 151.98 ± 3.5 Bq l−1 with an average value of 22.72 ± 1.1 Bq l−1. From this study, it is evident that 61% of drinking water samples have radon levels higher than the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq l−1 recommended by EPA. The estimated total annual effective dose from three locations of the studied area was found to be higher than the safe limit of 0.1 mSv y−1 recommended by WHO and EU Council. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the radon concentration in drinking water samples of the Hassan city, Karnataka state, India, was analyzed using the radon emanometry technique. The measured radon concentrations ranged from 19.5 ± 1.5 to 121.8 ± 5.6 Bq/L with an average value of 61.4 ± 3.3 Bq/L. This study reveals that all the drinking water samples have radon concentration levels higher than the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq/L as suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency, and 75% of the recorded radon concentration values were found to be well below the action level of 100 Bq/L recommended by the World Health Organization. The average annual effective dose to the population of the studied area was found to be slightly greater than the safe limit of 100 μSv/y recommended by the World Health Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates and radon concentration in groundwater at different locations of Koppa and Narasimharajapura taluks of Chikmagalur district, (13°40' north latitude and 75° 62' east longitudes). The total annual effective dose ranged between 0.67 mSv/y and 1.76 mSv/y with an average value of 1.16 mSv/y. The calculated total annual effective dose was found to be higher than the world average. The radon concentration in groundwater was analyzed using radon emanometry technique. The measured radon concentrations ranged from 3.96 Bq/l to 90.63 Bq/l with an average value of 35.34 Bq/l. This study reveals that 80% of drinking water samples have radon levels higher than the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq/l recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. All the recorded radon concentration values were found to be well below the action level of 100 Bq/l recommended by the World Health Organization. It is also found that the dose due to borewell water samples is higher compared to dose due to water from other sources such as hand pump, open well, and tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the distribution of radon activity concentration in drinking water samples and their annual effective dose exposure in Shimoga district. The radon concentrations in 38 drinking water samples were measured by using Emanometry technique. The measured radon concentration in drinking water samples ranged between 3.10 ± 0.25 and 38.50 ± 1.54 Bq l with an average value of 13.60 ± 1.12 Bq l. This study reveals that 44.8 % drinking water samples analyzed have radon levels in excess of the EPA recommended maximum contamination level of 11.1 Bq l. The total mean annual effective doses of all the samples are significantly lower than the reference level of 0.1 mSv y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human beings are continuously exposed to the radiations coming from terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources and inside their own bodies. This study presents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates in and around granite regions of Shimoga District, and these measurements were carried out by using environmental radiation Dosimeter ER-709 which is a portable detector. By the measured average absorbed dose rates, annual effective dose (AED) has been calculated by a standard method. Results showed that the indoor and outdoor absorbed dose rates in air of Shimoga district ranged between 114.05 ± 2.11 to 332.6 ± 3.99 nGy/h and 87 ± 1.7 to 276.66 ± 4.76 nGy/h. The indoor and outdoor AED ranged between 0.559 to 1.631 mSv/year with an average value of 0.872 mSv/year and 0.106 to 0.339 mSv/year with an average value of 0.235 mSv/year, respectively. The calculated indoor and outdoor AEDs were found to be higher than the world average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radon concentration has been determined in 27 drinking water samples of Hassan district and was estimated by using emanometry technique and physicochemical parameters were estimated using standard techniques. The Rn concentrations in water are varying from 0.85 ± 0.2 to 60.74 ± 2.5 Bq l with an average value of 26.5 ± 1.65 Bq l. This study reveals that 66 % of the drinking water samples have radon concentration level in excess of the EPA recommended maximum contamination level of 11.1 Bq l. There is no significant correlation noted between radon concentration and physicochemical parameters. The mean annual effective ingestion doses received from all samples are lower than 0.1 mSv y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the 222Rn, 220Rn, and their progeny concentration in Shivamogga district by using SSNTD's based pin hole dosimeters and deposition-based progeny sensor. The average indoor 222Rn and 220Rn concentration varies from 8.14 to 146 Bq m−3 and 13.01 to 157 Bq m−3 with a mean value of 60.61 and 61.77 Bq m−3. The EEC for 222Rn and 220Rn ranges from 1.55 to 19 Bq m−3 and 0.44 to 6 Bq m−3 with a mean value of 7.29 and 2.66 Bq m−3. The annual average equilibrium factor for 222Rn is well within the global mean values of 0.4, while the thoron is bit higher than specified global mean values of 0.02. The annual effective dose varies from 0.31 to 2.5 mSvy−1 with a mean value of 1.1 mSvy−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prime objective of this study is to estimate the natural radioactivity and their associated radiological hazards in soil samples of Uttara Kannada district having different geological conditions. The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activities were estimated using HPGe detector based gamma ray spectrometer. The average 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 36.13 ± 0.96, 48.47 ± 1.26 and 415.76 ± 6.83 Bq kg−1 respectively. The mean annual effective dose equivalent value was found to be 0.40 mSv y−1 and is less than the ICRP proposed value of 1 mSv y−1. The radiological hazard indices were computed and compared with internationally agreed values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the gamma absorbed dose rate (GADR) in 88 locations within five different geological regions of Uttara Kannada district. The measurements were made using a UR-705 environmental radiation dosimeter. The outdoor gamma absorbed dose rate varies from 44.5 to 220.0 nGy h–1 with the mean value of 78.0 nGy h–1, which is 1.3 times higher than the international average value of 59 nGy h–1. The indoor gamma absorbed dose rate varies from 57.3 to 242.5 nGy h–1 with an average of 90.0 nGy h–1, which is slightly higher than the world average of 84 nGy h–1 as suggested by UNSCEAR-2000. The estimated dose rate varies with the geological background and soil type. The total AEDE ranges from 0.3 to 1.38 mSv year–1 with an average of 0.53 mSv year–1. The average total AEDE is lower than the dose limit of 1 mSv year–1 for public, suggested by ICRP-1991. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indoor 222Rn and 220Rn were measured by using deposition progeny sensors and single-entry pinhole dosimeter around Kolar Gold Fields of Karnataka state, India. The thirty different places were identified and fixed the dosimetry cups for the determination. The 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations of indoor environment range from 26.2 ± 1.3 to 138.4 ± 1.6 and 21.2 ± 0.8 to 133.3 ± 1.5 Bq/m3 with a mean value of 68.8 ± 1.6 and 61.8 ± 1.5 Bq/m3, respectively. The equivalent concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn values vary from 0.9 ± 0.4 to 7.6 ± 1.1 and 6.8 ± 0.8 to 19.8 ± 1.8 Bq/m3 with a standard value of 4.3 ± 0.8 and 14.2 ± 1.3 Bq/m3, respectively. The values between the equilibrium factor between 222Rn, 220Rn, and their daughter were also calculated and found to be 0.23 and 0.07, respectively. The average annual intake of 222Rn, 220Rn, and their daughters' products is 2.28 mSv/y1, slightly below the global average of 2.4 mSv/y1 from all components. The data obtained compare average values in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study pin hole dosimeter with deposition based progeny sensors were used to estimate 222Rn, 220Rn and their daughters in the indoor atmosphere. The estimated annual average indoor 222Rn and 220Rn activity concentration were found to be 76.4 Bq m−3 and 93.5 Bq m−3, respectively. The mean value of EEC for radon and thoron was 45.5 Bq m−3 and 1.3 Bq m−3 respectively. The annual effective dose due to indoor 222Rn and 220Rn were found to be 2.9 mSv y−1 and 0.4 mSv y−1 respectively. The estimated effective doses are well below the safe limit as suggested by ICRP for indoor exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity of radium (226Ra), radon (222Rn) and physicochemical parameters in ground water around study area were estimated by standard techniques. The average values of activity of 226Ra, 222Rn in the study area are higher than the global average but physicochemical parameter are within the safe level. The total dose and ELCR to the workers and publics of the study area are less than the prescribed and accepted level. The industrial activity influences the activity of radionuclides and physicochemical parameter in ground water. The correlation was observed between radium with fluoride, chloride and nitrate. The obtained data are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the ambient gamma dose rate and radon concentration in drinking water at different locations in few coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada district. The ambient gamma dose and 222Rn activity in drinking water has been estimated by using micro R survey meter and Emanometry technique respectively. The annual effective doses ranges from 0.39 to 0.82 mSvy−1 with a geometric mean value of 0.55 mSvy−1 and it is slightly higher than the world average value. 222Rn activity in drinking water vary from 3.34 ± 0.22 to 160.18 ± 1.84 Bql−1 with mean value of 25.07 ± 0.86 Bql−1. Annual average ingestion dose due to consuming water are well below the WHO and EC suggested action level of 100 µSvy−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentration of radon and physicochemical parameters present in ground water collected from 65 bore wells of 30 different locations around Kolar Gold Fields, Kolar District, India are estimated by emanometry technique and chemical analysis. Activity of radium present in rock samples of the study area using HPGe detector are presented and discussed in the manuscript. The average radon concentration in the collected water samples are ranged from 3.3 ± 0.8 to 122.9 ± 2.1 Bq l with an average value of 46.9 ± 1.7 Bq l. Average value of activity concentration of radium is found to be 29.1 Bq kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]