Assessment of possible risks on human health by estimation of annual effective doses associated with radon in drinking water.

ABSTRACT

Radon is the main source of radiation that people receive naturally. Twenty-four samples of drinking water were collected and analyzed from all communities of Yerevan city, Armenia, in order to assess Radon associated radiological risk on population health through the drinking water. The measurements were performed by Alfarad Plus - ARP radon meter. The obtained values were compared with the national and international recommended values and they were within the Maximum contaminant level recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency, WHO and EU commission, also the national norms. As a consequence of direct consumption of drinking water annual effective doses due to the ingestion and inhalation of Radon were calculated. Annual committed effective dose received from drinking water consumption are within the recommended limit of WHO and EU Council (100 µSv y-1) and UNSCEAR [United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation] (1000 µSv y-1).