Health Risk Assessment, and Seasonal Radon-Thoron Concentrations of Water Samples in Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, TURKEY

In this study, the radon gas concentration in the water samples of the buildings in the Karacasu and Avsar campuses of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University (KSU) campuses was measured for the summer and winter seasons, and the seasonal distribution was examined. For this purpose, fifty-two water samples were taken from selected faculties to characterize KSU Karacasu and Avsar Campuses. Durridge RAD7 electronic radon-thoron detector was used for measurements. This study aims to determine the health risks for those working at measurement sites and students receiving education. The values obtained as a result of the measurements made for this purpose; the winter season radon concentration in water samples varied from 1.37 ± 0.44 Bq L−1 to 1.63 ± 0.56 Bq L−1, thoron concentration in samples varied from 0.54 ± 0.15 Bq L−1 to 0.64 ± 0.22 Bq L−1. The summer season radon concentration in water samples varied from 4.33 ± 1.37 Bq L−1 to 4.77 ± 1.52 Bq L−1, and thoron concentration in samples varied from 0.58 ± 0.19 Bq L−1 to 0.69 ± 0.22 Bq L−1. All obtained values were compared with the limit values recommended by international organizations. In addition, due to radon in water samples taken from KSU's Avsar and Karacasu campuses in the summer and winter seasons, both ingestion and inhalation effective dose values for students and personnel were calculated. Ingestion and inhalation effective dose values calculated within the scope of the current study are below the limit values announced by WHO, EPA, and ICRP.