Lung dose estimates from 222Rn in Arizona groundwater based on liquid scintillation measurements

Health Phys. 1995 May;68(5):699-703. doi: 10.1097/00004032-199505000-00010.

Abstract

Since August 1989, 222Rn groundwater samples from across the state of Arizona have been collected and analyzed using liquid scintillation. Of the 253 specimens acquired, 65% have 222Rn concentrations above 11 Bq L-1 (300 pCi L-1), while 16% have 222Rn activities over 37 Bq L-1 (1,000 pCi L-1). The geometric mean 222Rn concentration for all the wells tested is 13 Bq L-1 x divided by 4; the arithmetic mean is 37 +/- 122 Bq L-1. Using the geometric mean, it is estimated that an additional tracheobronchial lung dose equivalent of 0.19 mSv y-1 x divided by 13.9 is delivered to Arizona residents from the well water to home pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Arizona
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Humans
  • Lung / radiation effects*
  • Models, Biological
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radon / adverse effects*
  • Radon / analysis
  • Scintillation Counting / methods
  • Technology, Radiologic
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / adverse effects*
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis
  • Water Supply

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon