Enhanced alpha radioactivity in arsenic contaminated tubewell drinking water- a preliminary report

Studies on the presence of alpha emitting nuclides in the environment assume importance since they are found to be carcinogenic. This paper presents the first ever reporting of the measurements of alpha activity in drinking water in different places of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Howrah and Kolkata of West Bengal where arsenic contamination is severe. The study has been made with SSNTD which is one of the most commonly used detectors in the studies involving nuclear radiation. Our analysis provides positive evidence of presence of high alpha activity in drinking water of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Murshidabad. (author)