Seasonal variation of .sup.222Rn concentration in tube-well water and dose assessment of water dissolved .sup.222Rn to the local people of Bankura District of West Bengal, India

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can be found in water, soils and rocks all over the world. Being the highest water soluble among the other noble gases, .sup.222Rn has the immense potential to cause health hazards from the consumption of drinking water. From our previous study on radon concentration in drinking water in some parts of the Bankura district of West Bengal we have selected 90 tube-wells, categorized as having low radon levels ( 300 Bq/L) to investigate seasonal variation of water radon. Radon levels peak during the winter months and hit their lowest point during the monsoon season. This study revealed that estimated equivalent annual effective doses exceeded the WHO's reference dose level of 100 [micro]Sv/yr. To ensure safety, precautions like boiling and agitating water are recommended throughout the year, particularly in winter.