Measurements of radon activity in waters in the Kastamonu region

Radon is colorless, odourless, tasteless, radioactive gas which takes place in noble gases of periodical ruler with atomic number 86. Radon occurs as a result of radioactive decay of natural uranium in the rock, soil and water. Radon, comes from the existence of uranium in rocks and soil as it is a gas, it is tend to escape to the athmosphere. Radon has been observed that nearly % 47 of the radiation we are exposed in daily life is coming from radon and radon decay products. The radon gas diffuses into soil and then into atmosphere or environment. When accumulates in closed localities or in unventilated places 222Rn concentrations may reach to critical volues. As radon decay products exposure of high concentration, it especially increases lung cancer risk, that is why radon creates danger in localities of high concentration.The aim of this study is to determine radon concentrations in the source and tap waters collected in the spring and summer season from Ilgaz mountain and 10 districts of the city Kastamonu that takes place in the north part of Turkey and to evaluate its risk level for human health. Water samples were analyzed with the AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO radon detector produced by Genitron Instruments and the results obtained in this study were compared with the international recommended values.The results obtained from this study for radon ranged from the spring seasons for the measurements 0,362 ± 0,139 Bq/L to 12,734 ± 0,391 Bq/L, the summer seasons for the measurements 0,312 ± 0,034 Bq/L to 19,213 ± 1,000 Bq/L.