Appraisal of age-dependent radiological risk caused by ingestion of uranium in groundwater of Patiala district, Punjab.

Evaluating groundwater uranium concentration is crucial for assessing the radiological impact on human health due to radionuclide ingestion. This study quantifies uranium concentration in groundwater samples collected from various sources in the Patiala district, Punjab. LED Fluorimeter is employed for direct determination of uranium. Results reveal that 78% of locations have uranium concentration below the WHO limit of 30 µg/L, while 22% exceed the safe limit. However, all samples are below the AERB-recommended 60 µg/L limit. The uranium concentration in the groundwater ranges from 5.59 to 57.53 µg/L, with an average concentration of 24.57 µg/L. The variation in uranium concentration is influenced by factors such as pH and the water source. Radiation dose, cancer risk, and daily intake are calculated, suggesting most samples are safe for drinking, but prolonged consumption in high-uranium areas poses health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]