Radon Levels and Risk Assessment due to its Ingestion and Inhalation from Groundwater of Lapai, North-Central Nigeria

Sadiq Umar; Abdulsamad Asuku; Abdullahi Muhammad; Munirat Bashir; Ibrahim Kuta Suleiman; Khadijah Abdullahi

doi:10.56919/usci.2431.009

Authors

Sadiq Umar Department of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, PMB 11, Lapai, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9734-8358
Abdulsamad Asuku Center for Energy Research and Training, PMB 1014, Zaria, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9514-6664
Abdullahi Muhammad Department of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, PMB 11, Lapai, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4292-7536
Munirat Bashir Department of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, PMB 11, Lapai, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3729-8237
Ibrahim Kuta Suleiman Department of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, PMB 11, Lapai, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2198-0226
Khadijah Abdullahi Department of Physics, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, PMB 11, Lapai, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0451-1865

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2431.009

Keywords:

Radon gas, decay correction, alpha emitter, water contamination

Abstract

Radon exposure through ingestion or inhalation from groundwater can be a significant public health concern due to its carcinogenic effects. This study assessed the health risks of radon exposure from groundwater in Lapai, Nigeria, using a Rad7 detector to measure radon concentration levels. The measured concentrations ranged from 5.36 ± 0.22 BqL^-1 to 0.52 ± 0.06 BqL^-1 with an average value of 2.82 ± 0.14 BqL^-1. The annual effect dose due to ingestion of Radon obtained varies in the range of 2.76 to 28.34 μSva^-1, 1.02 to 10.43 μSva^-1, and 1.33 to 13.69 μSva^-1 for infants, children, and adults, respectively. While the effective dose per year from inhalation of Radon released from water by adults has values in the range of 1.31 to 13.50 μSva^-1. Radon levels were within permissible limits of UNSCEAR and USEPA, and the annual effective doses from inhalation and ingestion were within WHO's safe range. Nonetheless, monitoring is advised, especially during the rainy season when contamination levels may increase.

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Radon Levels and Risk Assessment due to its Ingestion and Inhalation from Groundwater of Lapai, North-Central Nigeria

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