Radon concentrations in ground and drinking water in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico

J Environ Radioact. 2005;80(2):139-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2004.08.005.

Abstract

This paper reports (222)Rn concentrations in ground and drinking water of nine cities of Chihuahua State, Mexico. Fifty percent of the 114 sampled wells exhibited (222)Rn concentrations exceeding 11Bq/L, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) recommended by the USEPA. Furthermore, around 48% (123 samples) of the tap-water samples taken from 255 dwellings showed radon concentrations over the MCL. There is an apparent correlation between total dissolved solids and radon concentration in ground-water. The high levels of (222)Rn found may be entirely attributed to the nature of aquifer rocks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cities
  • Mexico
  • Quality Control
  • Radiation Monitoring / standards
  • Radiation Monitoring / statistics & numerical data
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Radon / standards
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / standards
  • Water Supply* / standards

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon