Measurement of Radon Concentrations and Their Annual Effective Dose Exposure in Groundwater from Qassim Area, Saudi Arabia

Radon is a radioactive noble gas of a natural origin that may be found anywhere in soil, air and in different types of water. It is worthy to carry out the distribution of radon (222Rn) activity concentration and their annual effective dose exposure in groundwater samples from Qassim area, Saudi Arabia. Radon concentrations were measured by using RAD7 an electronic radon detector connected to a RAD-H2O accessory (Durridge Co., USA). The measured radon concentration ranges from 0.76 to 4.69 Bq L-1 with an average value of 2.8 Bq L-1. The measured values of radon concentration are well in the range within the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq L-1. The total annual effective dose resulting from radon in groundwater of Qassim area were significantly lower than the (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR and World Health Organization WHO) recommended limit for members of the public of 1 mSv year-1. The measured values for underground water from the study area suggest that the area is safe for farmers and there is no significant threat to the population as per as radon concentration is concerned.