Radon concentrations in drinking water in Beijing City, China and contribution to radiation dose

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 Oct 27;11(11):11121-31. doi: 10.3390/ijerph111111121.

Abstract

(222)Rn concentrations in drinking water samples from Beijing City, China, were determined based on a simple method for the continuous monitoring of radon using a radon-in-air monitor coupled to an air-water exchanger. A total of 89 water samples were sampled and analyzed for their (222)Rn content. The observed radon levels ranged from detection limit up to 49 Bq/L. The calculated arithmetic and geometric means of radon concentrations in all measured samples were equal to 5.87 and 4.63 Bq/L, respectively. The average annual effective dose from ingestion of radon in drinking water was 2.78 μSv, and that of inhalation of water-borne radon was 28.5 μSv. It is concluded that it is not the ingestion of waterborne radon, but inhalation of the radon escaping from water that is a substantial part of the radiological hazard. Radon in water is a big concern for public health, especially for consumers who directly use well water with very high radon concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Cities
  • Drinking Water / analysis*
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon