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. 2023 Aug;45(8):5727-5759.
doi: 10.1007/s10653-023-01478-y. Epub 2023 Jan 16.

Age-dependent potential health risk assessment due to radioactive radon-222 in the environs of highly populated Durgapur industrial zone and nearby Bakreswar hot spring, India

Saroj Khutia  1 , Ankita Dawn  1   2 , Kankana Seal  1   3 , Hirok Chaudhuri  4   5 , Chiranjit Maji  6 , Suvashree Mukherjee  7
Affiliations

Age-dependent potential health risk assessment due to radioactive radon-222 in the environs of highly populated Durgapur industrial zone and nearby Bakreswar hot spring, India

Saroj Khutia et al. Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

It is well known that exposure to a high concentration of radon-222 causes severe health effects, including cancer. The present article includes a survey on radon-222 in the water bodies of the city Durgapur [non-geothermal area] and nearby Bakreswar hot spring [geothermal province], India. The possible sources of radon from natural radionuclides and industries have been discussed in the article. Durgapur is a densely populated [~ 3680 persons/km2] industrial city with a population of 0.57 million. On the other hand, many tourists and pilgrims usually visit Bakreswar throughout the year. Age-dependent potential health risk assessments of the dwellers at Durgapur and Bakreswar due to radon exposure were performed for the first time. The present work is the first attempt to estimate the mean ingestion /and inhalation dose per annum, total effective dose [TED] per annum and the health risk assessment for cancer in adults, children and infants due to radon exposure at Durgapur and Bakreswar. In some cases, the values of TED exceed the permissible limit of 100 micro Sievert per year [µSv/y] as recommended by EUC and WHO. The radiation profile maps relating to radon concentration and associated contour maps of health risk factors [HRF] for the adults, children and infants were also prepared for the first time. Some areas were identified as high-risk zones, and the dwellers are prone to a high risk of cancer. The article also proposed several techniques to reduce radon in water and buildings. The authors also recommended banning some water sources to protect people from radon risk. This study will help scientists, policymakers, industrialists, farmers, government agencies and public health departments.

Keywords: Bakreswar hot spring; Cancer; Durgapur industrial zone; Health risk factor; Radioactivity in water; Radon-222.

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