Radon and uranium concentration in drinking water sources along the fault line passing through Reasi district, Lesser Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir State, India

The presence of radon in drinking water causes radiation-related health hazards both through inhalation and ingestion. In the present study, 28 drinking water samples from natural flowing springs, freshwater ponds and deep hand pumps were analysed in the fault zone of Reasi region of Jammu and Kashmir. Radon measurement was made using the RAD7 electronic device. Average mean values of these samples vary from 2.80 ± 0.78 to 74.37 ± 2.76 Bq l^-1. Nineteen drinking water samples analysed have radon level in excess of EPA recommended maximum contamination level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq l^-1. The annual effective dose from radon in water due to its ingestion and inhalation per individual was also calculated. Uranium concentration in water samples was also analysed to correlate between different types of rocks and values of radon in water. The radiological and chemical toxic risks were also measured and found well within the recommended limits.Results obtained were compared with results of previous work and mean annual effective dose for radon in water from different regions of northern India and Pakistan. It was found that radon levels in a significant number of water samples collected in the region of fault line are higher than EPA recommendations. A positive correlation is observed between the depth of the water source and the values of radon levels in water samples collected from these sources. Comparative study of radon concentration in water samples measured with RAD7 and Smart Radon Duo Monitor shows coefficient of correlation equal to 0.88. (author)