Determination of radon ( Rn-222 ) concentration in drinkable and processed water in and around osmaniye

Radon which is contains %50 of radiation we are exposed in daily life and in the decay chain of Uranium available in rocks and soil , is a colorless, odourless and a radioactive gas that can not be observed by human sense. Water is the most important need to sustain of human life. All living organisms get their water needs from surface and underground water sources. Underground water includes radioactive elements from 238U and 232Th group because of radioactive materials which it passes through and contacts. Radioactive elements that belong to uranium material dissolved in the water are composed of 223Ra, 226Ra and 222Rn which pose a serious threat for human healt. It is the requirement of international authorities that radioactive elements contained in the drinking water must be below detemined limit value. In this study, Rn concentrations in and around Osmaniye have been measured by using AlphaGUARD Radon detector and their results have been discussed. At the result of analysis, maximum and minimum radon activity values have been found as 0.986 ± 0.472 Bq / L and 0.164 ± 0.103 Bq / L respectively.