Spatiotemporal distribution of dissolved radon in uranium impacted aquifers of Southwest Punjab

The occurrence of high dissolved radon in drinking water can pose a potential health risk to human due to exhalation of radon and its decay products from water into the household air and also due to direct ingestion of radon through drinking water. It was reported that most of the dose results from inhalation rather than ingestion. High U was found in southwest part Punjab, hence measurement of its daughter nuclide, Rn, assumes significance due to its health effects. So far no study was undertaken to estimate the dissolved Rn concentration and its correlation with U and other physicochemical indicators in this region. The study area includes Faridkot and Muktsar districts of Punjab covering an area of 4075km². A total of 20 samples were measured using indigenous Smart Radon Monitor (SRM) from locations of high and low U groundwater and also from pre and post-monsoon seasons