Measurement of radon levels in water and the associated health hazards in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Inhalation and ingestion of radon gas constitute grave health hazards. Water of different types and resources is one of the famous radon sources beside soil, building materials, and natural gas. The dissolved radon concentrations in drinking and ground water samples collected from various locations in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia were measured by using sealed cup technique. About 110 water samples were collected from ground and drinking water from 11 different locations. The weighted mean value of the radon activity levels in drinking and ground water were 2.47 ± 0.14 and 2.95 ± 0.22 Bq/l, respectively. Also, the weighted mean of the total annual effective doses from ingestion and inhalation of drinking and ground water were 24.25 ± 1.33 and 28.99 ± 2.12 µSv, respectively, which is lower than the safe limit of 0.1 mSv/y. Results reveal that there is no significant public health risk from radon ingested and inhalation of drinking and ground water in the study area.