Radon and its short-lived progeny are exposed to most human exposures as a natural source of radiation. Many studies have presumed that one of the most common incidences of lung cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer is caused by radon-contaminated water. In this study, water was collected from different groundwater sources in the Hafr Al Batin area, Saudi Arabia, and the radon concentration was investigated using an electronic portable radon detector. The annual effective dose of radon exposure by ingestion and inhalation of water is calculated from that radon concentration for the different age groups to assess the risk of radon exposure. The calculated annual effective doses are then compared with the international standard of risk limit as directed by the international organizations. The estimated radon concentration for groundwater samples is found to be between 0.03 and 3.20 Bq/L with an average value of 1.16 Bq/L. These estimated values are below the safety limits set by the USEPA and EAEC and far below those recommended by the UNSCEAR, EC, and WHO standards. The calculated annual effective dose of radon exposure for the different age groups ranging from infant to adult is found to be in the range of 0.05 to 16.24 μSv/year, with a mean value of 5.89 μSv/year, which is in the safe limit recommended by the EC and WHO. The obtained results of this present study will support the authority and regulators who are responsible for controlling and strategizing to ensure public safety against radon exposure.

中文翻译：

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不同年龄组通过摄入和吸入地下水接触氡的风险评估

作为天然辐射源，氡及其短命的后代暴露在大多数人类暴露之下。许多研究推测，肺癌、结肠癌和胃癌最常见的发病率之一是由氡污染的水引起的。在这项研究中，从沙特阿拉伯 Hafr Al Batin 地区的不同地下水源收集水，并使用电子便携式氡探测器调查氡浓度。根据不同年龄组的氡浓度计算摄入和吸入水中氡暴露的年有效剂量，以评估氡暴露的风险。然后将计算出的年度有效剂量与国际组织指导的国际风险限度标准进行比较。地下水样品的氡浓度估计在 0.03 和 3.20 Bq/L 之间，平均值为 1.16 Bq/L。这些估计值低于 USEPA 和 EAEC 设定的安全限值，远低于 UNSCEAR、EC 和 WHO 标准推荐的值。计算得出从婴儿到成人不同年龄组的氡年有效暴露剂量在0.05～16.24微希/年，平均值为5.89微希/年，处于推荐的安全限值内。由 EC 和 WHO。本研究获得的结果将为负责控制和制定战略以确保公共安全免受氡暴露的当局和监管机构提供支持。这些估计值低于 USEPA 和 EAEC 设定的安全限值，远低于 UNSCEAR、EC 和 WHO 标准推荐的值。计算得出从婴儿到成人不同年龄组的氡年有效暴露剂量在0.05～16.24微希/年，平均值为5.89微希/年，处于推荐的安全限值内。由 EC 和 WHO。本研究获得的结果将为负责控制和制定战略以确保公共安全免受氡暴露的当局和监管机构提供支持。这些估计值低于 USEPA 和 EAEC 设定的安全限值，远低于 UNSCEAR、EC 和 WHO 标准推荐的值。计算得出从婴儿到成人不同年龄组的氡年有效暴露剂量在0.05～16.24微希/年，平均值为5.89微希/年，处于推荐的安全限值内。由 EC 和 WHO。本研究获得的结果将为负责控制和制定战略以确保公共安全免受氡暴露的当局和监管机构提供支持。平均值为 5.89 μSv/年，处于 EC 和 WHO 推荐的安全限值内。本研究获得的结果将为负责控制和制定战略以确保公共安全免受氡暴露的当局和监管机构提供支持。平均值为 5.89 μSv/年，处于 EC 和 WHO 推荐的安全限值内。本研究获得的结果将为负责控制和制定战略以确保公共安全免受氡暴露的当局和监管机构提供支持。