Assessment of Human Exposure to Dissolved Radon in Groundwater around the Uranium Industry of Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India

Measurement of dissolved radon and ²²⁶Ra in groundwater was carried out in 30 different locations around the uranium mining and ore processing area of Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India. Activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra 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 ²²⁶Ra in groundwater. The annual dose due to ingestion of radon containing water estimated at 60% locations was less than 100 μSv. The maximum ingestion dose was found to be 300 μSv to adult members of the public. The average dose due to the ingestion of radon in water was 94 μSv, which is less than the stipulated limit of 1000 μSv prescribed by regulatory body.