International Journal of Radiation Research

en Naturally occurring radioactive material in groundwater: potential health risk to the inhabitants at Osino in the eastern region of Ghana Radiation Biology Radiation Biology تحقيق بديع Original Research <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Drinking water from deep wells and boreholes is anticipated to have high concentrations of natural radioactivity from the decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium-40 isotopes. Ingestion of water containing radioactive matter for the long term dispenses potential health risks. This study sought to assess radiological quality in groundwater from selected boreholes used for domestic purposes in Osino, Ghana. Materials and Methods: The analysis was done using gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity of radionuclides 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K in fifteen water samples collected from five selected boreholes. The samples were prepared into 1 litre Marinelli beaker, firmly closed and stored for 30 days to attain secular equilibrium between the long-lived radionuclides and their short-lived offspring. Results: The mean activity concentrations for 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K were 5.34 BqL-1±1.1 BqL-1, 9.21 BqL-1±2.0 BqL-1, and 35.64 BqL-1±5.6 BqL-1 respectively. The estimated radiological risks for cancer mortality and morbidity for 226Ra and 228Ra in the drinking water samples were below the WHO set screening level of 10-3. The mean hazard quotient estimated for 226Ra was 9.7 µgkg-1day-1. The total annual committed effective dose ranged from 5.27 x 10-2 mSvy-1 to 8.25 x 10-2 mSvy-1 with a mean of 6.87 x 10-2 mSvy-1 which was within the WHO set guidance level of 0.1 mSvy-1. Conclusion: The radiological quality of the water is within the individual dose criterion and may not pose a health risk. It is paramount to monitor the radiological quality of the groundwater to provide relevant information to protect public health.</div> Radioactivity, radionuclides, groundwater, norm, radiological risk, hazard. 779 787 http://ijrr.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-1117&slc_lang=en&sid=1 E.M. Ameho mawuliameho76@gmail.com 7900319475328460025190 7900319475328460025190 Yes Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana D.O. Kpeglo 7900319475328460025191 7900319475328460025191 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana E.T. Glover 7900319475328460025192 7900319475328460025192 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana O.K. Adukpo 7900319475328460025193 7900319475328460025193 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana A. Sulemana 7900319475328460025194 7900319475328460025194 No Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana R. Agalga 7900319475328460025195 7900319475328460025195 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana R. Kpordzro 7900319475328460025196 7900319475328460025196 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana E. Quarshie 7900319475328460025197 7900319475328460025197 No Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Radiation Protection Institute, Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana J.N. Hogarh 7900319475328460025198 7900319475328460025198 No Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana