Assessment of human exposure to dissolved radon in groundwater around the uranium industry of Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India

Measurement of dissolved radon and Ra-226 in groundwater was carried out in 30 different locations around the uranium mining and ore processing area of Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India. Activity concentration of Ra-226 was found to be very low, whereas dissolved radon was observed to be slightly elevated due to geological features of the area consisting of uranium mineralization. No definite relation was observed between radon and Ra-226 in groundwater. The annual dose due to ingestion of radon containing water estimated at 60% locations was less than 100 mu Sv. The maximum ingestion dose was found to be 300 mu Sv to adult members of the public. The average dose due to the ingestion of radon in water was 94 mu Sv, which is less than the stipulated limit of 1000 mu Sv prescribed by regulatory body.