Continuous Monitoring of Radon Contamination Levels in Lower Nam Phong River, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Abstract

In this research, radon concentrations in surface water samples were measured at 8 stations and along 8 boat survey routes in the lower Nam Phong River, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, using the RAD 7 Radon Detector and RAD AQUA accessories. The results of radon concentration at the 8 stations along the Nam Phong River ranged from 0.16 to 4.87 Bq/L, with an average of 1.17 Bq/L. For the boat survey routes along the Nam Phong River, radon concentrations ranged from 0.04247 to 0.12342 Bq/L, with an average of 0.07422 Bq/L. These results were lower than the maximum contaminant level of radon in water (MCL), 11.1 Bq/L, as the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommended. Finally, the results were used to assess various health risks to people in this research area, contributing to determining the public safety of radon exposure in the lower Nam Phong River.