Investigation of radon concentration in groundwater in Sakarya

The aim of this study is to measure the radon concentration values in the water samples taken from the groundwater water sources in Sakarya and to evaluate the radiological effects and risks that may arise on the people of the region according to their intended use. In the study conducted for this purpose, 35 different underground spring waters were identified by interviewing 175 neighborhood headmen in 16 districts of Sakarya, and the activity of the radon (222Rn) gas dissolved in the water was measured using the RAD-7 electronic radon detector. Within the scope of the research, samples taken with glass bottles from 35 different locations in Sakarya were examined in a laboratory environment and the radon concentration amounts were measured between 0,1-62,4 Bq/L. The average of the results obtained from the whole province was calculated as 21,6 Bq/L. When compared with the limit set by the World Health Organization as 100 Bq/L, it was seen that the results obtained in the research are within the range that will not constitute a problem in terms of health. However, when the results obtained were compared with the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency as 11 Bq/L, 23 samples were found to exceed the limit. Dosages resulting from the consumption of these waters were also calculated using the data obtained in the research. Accordingly, the average annual effective dose amount caused by radon entering the human body is calculated as follows: 38 𝜇Svy¯¹ for adults, 39 𝜇Svy¯¹ for kids and 74 𝜇Svy¯¹ for babies. It was observed that calculated values are below 100 𝜇Svy¯¹ determined by United Nations Scientific Committe on the Effects of Atom Radiation (UNSCEAR). In addition, it was found that the measured radon concentrations and the annual effective dose equivalents found did not give abnormal results when compared to the researches conducted in other provinces and around the world. Keywords: Radon, RAD-7 measurement detector, Sakarya, groundwater, activity