Title: Effective dose owing to dissolved ²²²Rn in potable water of coastal Karnataka in the southwest coast of India

Authors: K.M. Rajashekara, Y. Narayana, K. Siddappa

Addresses: Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri – 574 199, Mangalore, India. ' Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri – 574 199, Mangalore, India. ' JSS Foundation for Science and Society, Banashankari, Bangalore-560 085, India

Abstract: This paper discusses the results of the systematic measurement of activity concentration of ²²²Rn in groundwater and surface water samples of two major rivers of coastal Karnataka, namely, Kali and Sharavathi. Water radon concentrations were measured using an Alpha Guard PQ2000Pro (Genitron GmbH) equipped with an appropriate unit (AquaKIT), following a protocol proposed by the manufacturer. Measurements of radon in groundwater and surface water from the Kali and Sharavathi rivers and their catchment areas of coastal Karnataka are important because the groundwater and river water are the main sources of drinking water in this region owing to an inadequate supply of treated water.

Keywords: ²²²Rn; groundwater; surface water; effective dose; stomach; lungs; Alpha Guard; coastal Karnataka; India; radon concentrations; low radiation; rivers; drinking water.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2007.015817

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.209 - 216

Published online: 20 Nov 2007 *

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