Study of radiation exposure to radon in groundwater using scintillation-based RnDuo technique: A statistical analysis...

Radon in household water, particularly from groundwater sources, is a well-known health concern. Radon in groundwater is typically produced by radium in the aquifer's rocks, which may be originated from geogenic uranium or be transported from distant areas. In this study, radon levels were measured for the first time in groundwater samples (N = 80) collected from the foothills of the Kumaun Himalaya using the scintillation-based RnDuo technique, with the aim to assess whether exposure to radon in the water poses a significant health risk to the general public. Some (N = 41) of these samples were also analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and LED fluorimetry for uranium concentrations, to investigate if geogenic uranium is source of radon in groundwater. The estimated health risks of radon and uranium in the analyzed water samples suggest no potential danger to the public. Weak correlations were observed between radon and uranium concentrations, indicating that the source of radon in groundwater is not related to local geogenic uranium mineralization. The findings will be valuable for future research on radionuclide exploration and radiation protection applications.