Radon concentration in drinking water sources of the region adjacent to a tectonically active Karak Thrust, southern Kohat Plateau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

A total of 84 drinking water samples from tube wells, natural springs, hand pumps and open wells in the region adjacent to a tectonically active Karak Thrust, Pakistan, were analyzed for radon content determination. These samples have a mean, maximum and minimum radon values of 9.4 ± 0.4, 25.1 ± 0.9, and 1.1 ± 0.2 Bq l−1, respectively. This study indicates that 24 % of samples from tube wells, 44 % from springs, and 50 % from hand pumps have radon levels in excess of the EPA recommended maximum contaminant level of 11.1 Bq l−1. The mean annual effective doses of all the samples are lower than the reference level of 0.1 mSv a−1. Drinking water from majority of the sources within the region is generally safe as far as radon related health hazards are concerned with exception of few isolated cases.