International Journal of Environmental Analytical

Chemistry

ISSN: 0306-7319 (Print) 1029-0397 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/geac20

Health implications of natural radioactivity

in spring water used for drinking in Harnai,
Balochistan

Nisar Ahmad, Ali Khan, Ishaq Ahmad, Javed Hussain & Niamat Ullah

To cite this article: Nisar Ahmad, Ali Khan, Ishaq Ahmad, Javed Hussain & Niamat Ullah (2019):
Health implications of natural radioactivity in spring water used for drinking in Harnai, Balochistan,
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2019.1679805

Published online: 21 Oct 2019.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2019.1679805

ARTICLE

Health implications of natural radioactivity in spring water

used for drinking in Harnai, Balochistan
a
Nisar Ahmad , Ali Khana, Ishaq Ahmadb, Javed Hussainb and Niamat Ullaha
a
Department of Physics, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management
Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan; bNPU-NCP Joint International Research Center on Advanced Nanomaterials and
Defects Engineering, National Center for Physics, Islamabad, Pakistan

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

Measurements of radiological health hazards through radionuclides Received 3 September 2019
present in drinking water are useful for public health studies, which Accepted 8 October 2019
give estimation of public exposure. In Harnai, most of the population is KEYWORDS
using spring water for drinking, in which 19% population is using Spring water; natural
protected spring water and 15% population is using unprotected radioactivity; absorbed dose;
spring water. Therefore, this study has been conducted to estimate HPGe; Balochistan
the radiological health hazards associated with radionuclides present
in spring water using HPGe detector. Average values of 226Ra, 232Th and
40
K were found to be 1.75, 1.34 and 48.08 mBq/l, respectively. The
average values of radium equivalent (Raeq), absorbed dose (DR) and
external (Hex) and internal hazards (Hin) indices were found to be
7.35 mBq/l, 0.0036 nGy/h, 1.99 × 10−5 and 2.47 × 10−5, respectively.
The calculated values of annual effective doses for different age groups
were found to be higher in the age group of 12–7 years compared with
the other age groups. However, all values of Raeq, Hex, Hin and annual
effective doses were found to be below recommended world average
values. Therefore, it is concluded that spring water is safe from radi-
ological health hazards associated with natural radioactivity.

1. Introduction
Environment in which we live contains radiation emitting from primordial and anthropo-
genic radionuclides that can pose health hazards for human being in case of their high
concentrations. In our environment, water, air, soil and different food contain some radio-
active elements such as 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 222Rn that emit alpha, beta and gamma
radiation to the environment [1]. The doses received by human being from the environment
have direct relation with the amount of radionuclides; therefore, the important objective of
radiological protection of human being is the accurate investigation of doses received in
daily intake [2]. The presence of radionuclides in drinking water causes internal exposure in
humans due to decay of radionuclides taken into the body through indirect inhalation and
ingestion. Natural waters contain 238U and 40K that emit alpha and beta particles in various
amounts and are responsible for small fraction of total dose received by human being from
primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides [3]. According to the report issued by
UNSCEAR, the average annual effective dose of 0.29 mSv/y is received worldwide due to

CONTACT Nisar Ahmad ahmadnisar31@gmail.com

© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
2 N. AHMAD ET AL.

ingestion of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K during habitual consumption of water and food [4]. Spring
water has direct contact with rocks containing radioactive materials, making it more con-
taminated by radioactivity. Due to growing awareness of diseases produced due to con-
taminated drinking water, safety standards have been set for safe drinking water in
developed countries, but in developing countries such attention has not been given for
safe drinking water. After the establishment of Pakistan Environmental Production Act in
1997, the Ministry of Environment has drafted standard for safe drinking water but no
standards about the radioactivity in drinking water have been addressed [5]. In Pakistan,
a few studies have been conducted to investigate the natural radioactivity in bottle, well
and tap water, but no such type study has been conducted for spring water used for
drinking [5–8].
Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Balochistan reported in 2010 that in Harnai, about
72.5% households are not treating water through boiling, adding bleach or straining
through cloth methods. Household survey conducted in 2010 showed that 19% popula-
tion is using protected spring water and 15% population is using unprotected spring
water [9]. Therefore, this study has been conducted to measure the natural radioactivity in
spring water used for drinking and to estimate the radiological health hazards on the
people consuming these waters for drinking and for domestic purposes in Harnai,
Balochistan, Pakistan. The results obtained from this study provide baseline radiometric
data on spring waters used as drinking water.

2. Experimental
2.1. Area under study
Harnai is the third smallest district of Balochistan that comprised an area of 3.075 km2. It is
located between 67° 13ʹ 12″–68° 24ʹ 34″ E and 29° 41ʹ 59″–30° 23ʹ 2″ N in the world map.
In the map of Pakistan, it is located at 630 km south-east of the capital city of Pakistan and
90 km north-west from the Balochistan capital city Quetta. Harnai is a very important
district of Balochistan due to its strategic location on the map (Figure 1). It is surrounded
by encircling Zarghoon and Khilafat hills and extends from Chappar to Spintangi
Mountain [10]. In winter, the temperature ranged from −2 to 20°C; whereas, in summer,
the temperature ranged from 20 to 48°C. Harnai has a rainy season during monsoon [9].

2.2. Experimental
A total of 17 spring water samples of 1 l were collected directly from springs in Harnai. The
samples were collected in polythene bottles. Before collection, each bottle was washed with
15% nitric acid and rinsed three times with distilled water as per IAEA standards [4]. After
collections, each sample was labelled with code and time and then 2 ml HNO3 was added to
minimise the increase of the ionic charges and organic materials. Before measuring the
activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K through HPGe detector, each sample of 1 l was tightly sealed
in pre-washed Marinelli beaker and stored for 1 month to achieve the radioactive equilibrium
for 232Th and 238U and their decay products [8,11]. Each sample was kept under analysis inside
the detector for 21,000 seconds. The activities of 226Ra were assessed through gamma-ray
peaks of 609.3 keV (214Bi) and 351.9 keV (214Pb). The activities of 232Th were assessed through
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 3

Figure 1. Map of district Harnai, Balochistan [9].

gamma-ray peaks of 911.1 keV (228Ac) and 338.0 keV (212Pb) while those of 40K were assessed
through its own photo peak of 1460 keV. Figure 2 shows the gamma-ray peaks of second
sample through HPGe detector.
Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K (mBq/l) were found using Equation (1) [12].

NA  Bg
A¼ (1)
tεPγ M

where NA shows the net area under peak, Bg shows the number of counts for the
background spectrum, t (21,000 s) and ɛ show counting time and absolute efficiency of
the detector, respectively, Pɤ and M (litre) show emission probability of the corresponding
γ-ray energy and 1 l of water, respectively.
The estimation of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) is necessary for analysis of samples.
To compare the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, radium equivalent activity was
used as common index to ascertain the sum of the activities. Equation (2) was used to
calculate Raeq [13].

Raeq ðmBq=lÞ ¼ ARa þ 1:43ATh þ 0:077AK (2)

where ARa, ATh and AK show activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in mBq/l, respectively.
Absorbed dose rate was calculated using Equation (3).
4 N. AHMAD ET AL.

Figure 2. Gamma-ray peaks of second sample through HPGe detector.

DR ðnGy=hÞ ¼ 0:462ARa þ 0:621ATh þ 0:041AK (3)

Radiation exposure due to 226Ra, 232Th and 40K may be external. This hazard, defined in
terms of external or outdoor radiation hazard index and denoted by Hex, can be calculated
using Equation (4).
ARa ATh AK
Hex ¼ þ þ (4)
370 259 4810
Internal hazard index (Hin) was calculated using Equation (5).
ARa ATh AK
Hin ¼ þ þ (5)
185 259 4810
Equation (6) was used to calculate the annual effective doses for different age groups due
to intake of radioactivity present in spring water.
Deff ðμSv=yÞ ¼ Cw  CRw  DCw (6)

where Deff shows annual effective doses, Cw shows the concentration of radionuclides in
ingested water, CRw shows intake of water (390, 460, 500 and 730 l for the age groups of 2–7,
7–12, 12–17 and ≥17 years, respectively) and DCw shows ingested dose conversion factor for
radionuclides [6]. The ingested dose conversion factors for 226Ra were 6.2 × 10−7 (Age:
2–7 years), 8.0 × 10−7 (Age: 7–12 years), 1.5 × 10−6 (Age: 12–17 years) and 2.8 × 10−7 (Age: ≥
17 years). The ingested dose conversion factors for 232Th were 3.5 × 10−7 (Age: 2–7 years),
2.9 × 10−7 (Age: 7–12 years), 2.5 × 10−7 (Age: 12–17 years) and 2.3 × 10−7 (Age: ≥ 17 years).
The ingested dose conversion factors for 40K were 2.1 × 10−8 (Age: 2–7 years), 1.3 × 10−8
(Age: 7–12 years), 7.6 × 10−9 (Age: 12–17 years) and 6.2 × 10−9 (age: ≥ 17 years) [5].
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 5

3. Results and discussion

Figure 3 shows the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in the spring water
collected from Harnai, Balochistan. Table 1 revealed that the concentration of 226Ra ranged
from 1.30 to 2.74 mBq/l with an average value of 1.75 mBq/l. The concentration of 232Th
ranged from 1.10 to 1.78 mBq/l with an average value of 1.34 mBq/l while in case of 40K, these
values ranged from 43.51 to 58.25 mBq/l with an average value of 48.08 mBq/l.
Values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and absorb dose rate (DR) ranged from 6.62 to
8.81 mBq/l and 0.0032 to 0.0043 nGy/h with average values of 7.35 mBq/l and 0.0036 nGy/h,
respectively. External and internal hazards indices were ranged from 1.78 × 10−5 to
2.38 × 10−5 and 2.19 × 10−5 and 3.12 × 10−5 with average values of 1.99 × 10−5 and
2.47 × 10−5, respectively. The results show that the values of Raeq were found to be less
than the world average value of 49 Bq/l [14]. Similarly, the values of Hex and Hin were found
to be less than unity.
Table 2 shows minimum, maximum and average values of annual effective doses for
different age groups. The average values of annual effective doses due to intake of 226Ra,
232
Th and 40K were found to be 1.09, 0.83 and 1.00 µSv/y for the age group of 2–7 years,
respectively. In case of age group 7–12 years, these values were found to be 1.40, 0.38 and
0.62 µSv/y due to intake of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. For the age group 12–17 years,
the average values of annual effective doses were found to be 2.63, 0.33 and 0.36 µSv/y due
to intake of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. For the age group ≥17 years, the average

Figure 3. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the spring water collected from Harnai.
6 N. AHMAD ET AL.

Table 1. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K (mBq/l), and radium equivalent (Raeq: mBq/l),
absorbed dose (DR: nGy/h) and hazard indices.
226 232 40
S. No Ra Th K Raeq DR Hex Hin
1 2.74 1.10 58.25 8.81 0.0043 2.38 × 10−5 3.12 × 10−5
2 1.63 1.74 49.87 7.96 0.0038 2.15 × 10−5 2.59 × 10−5
3 1.82 1.13 45.83 6.97 0.0034 1.88 × 10−5 2.37 × 10−5
4 1.95 1.19 45.83 7.18 0.0035 1.94 × 10−5 2.46 × 10−5
5 1.88 1.26 47.20 7.32 0.0036 1.97 × 10−5 2.48 × 10−5
6 1.79 1.78 49.95 8.19 0.0039 2.21 × 10−5 2.69 × 10−5
7 1.97 1.29 44.47 7.25 0.0035 1.96 × 10−5 2.49 × 10−5
8 1.32 1.45 48.47 7.14 0.0035 1.92 × 10−5 2.28 × 10−5
9 1.78 1.74 48.21 7.98 0.0038 2.15 × 10−5 2.63 × 10−5
10 1.77 1.74 49.87 8.11 0.0039 2.19 × 10−5 2.67 × 10−5
11 1.93 1.17 51.43 7.58 0.0037 2.04 × 10−5 2.57 × 10−5
12 1.97 1.13 47.20 7.22 0.0035 1.95 × 10−5 2.48 × 10−5
13 1.48 1.34 46.06 6.94 0.0034 1.87 × 10−5 2.27 × 10−5
14 1.30 1.14 50.72 6.85 0.0034 1.85 × 10−5 2.25 × 10−5
15 1.35 1.14 49.24 6.78 0.0033 1.83 × 10−5 2.19 × 10−5
16 1.57 1.18 43.51 6.62 0.0032 1.78 × 10−5 2.21 × 10−5
17 1.57 1.18 45.80 6.79 0.0033 1.83 × 10−5 2.26 × 10−5
Minimum 1.30 1.10 43.51 6.62 0.0032 1.78 × 10−5 2.19 × 10−5
Maximum 2.74 1.78 58.25 8.81 0.0043 2.38 × 10−5 3.12 × 10−5
Average 1.75 1.34 48.08 7.35 0.0036 1.99 × 10−5 2.47 × 10−5

Table 2. Minimum, maximum and average values of annual effective doses in spring water of Harnai.
Cumulative average
226 232 40
Age Group Ra (µSv/y) Th (µSv/y) K (µSv/y) (µSv/y)
2–7 years Minimum 0.81 0.38 0.91 0.97
Maximum 1.70 0.62 1.22
Average 1.09 0.83 1.00
7–12 years Minimum 0.04 0.32 0.56 0.80
Maximum 2.19 0.51 0.75
Average 1.40 0.38 0.62
12–17 years Minimum 1.96 0.27 0.33 1.10
Maximum 4.11 0.44 0.44
Average 2.63 0.33 0.36
≥17 years Minimum 0.16 0.24 0.096 0.30
Maximum 0.39 0.40 0.35
Average 0.32 0.30 0.29

values of annual effective doses were found to be 0.32, 0.30 and 0.29 µSv/y due to intake
of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. It can be observed that the values of annual effective
doses are comparatively higher in the age group of 12–17 years than other age groups. The
contributions of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K to the total annual effective dose were 49%, 23% and
28%, respectively, which shows that for adults, contribution of 226Ra to the total annual
effective dose is the highest among the three natural radionuclides in drinking water. It has
been reported that 226Ra is highly radiotoxic radionuclide because about 20% of 226Ra is
absorbed in human bloodstream when ingested. After absorption, it becomes distributed in
soft tissues and bones [4,5]. However, the values of annual effective doses due to intake of
226
Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be below the WHO recommended values of 0.1 mSv/y for
drinking water [15].
The results obtained from this study were compared with those from other countries of
the world. Table 3 shows that the activity values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in this study are
less than Yemen, Jordon, Egypt, Turkey and Malaysia.
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 7

Table 3. Comparision of natural radioactivity in water with other countries of the world.
226 232 40
Country Water type Ra Th K References
Yemen Spring 3.48 Bq/l 1.01 Bq/l 16.05 Bq/l [16]
Jordon Spring 3.8 Bq/l 1.42 Bq/l 23.2 Bq/l [17]
Eygpt Spring 970–1600 mBq/l 210–1100 mBq/l 970–23,000 mBq/l [18]
Turkey Spring BDL −163 mBq/l BDL −41 mBq/l BDL −511 mBq/l [19]
Malaysia Well 3.46 mBq/l 2.71 mBq/l 186.3 mBq/l [20]
Pakistan Spring 1.75 mBq/l 1.34 mBq/l 48.08 mBq/l Present study

4. Conclusions
Radiological health hazards associated with 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were investigated in
spring water used for drinking in Harnai, Balochistan using HPGe detector. This study
provides baseline levels of natural radioactivity in spring water in Balochistan, even
though in Pakistan. The values of radium equivalent activity were found to be below
the world average value of 49 Bq/l. Similarly, internal and external hazards indices were
found to be less than unity. Annual effective doses for all age groups were found to be
below the world average value of 0.1 mSv/y recommended by WHO. Therefore, the spring
water is safe from radiological health hazards associated with natural radioactivity.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID
Nisar Ahmad http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5955-0504

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