Browsing by Author "Yeasmin, Selina"

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A Study Into the Long-Overlooked Carcinogenic Radon in Bottled Water and Deep Well Water in Dhaka, Bangladesh
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-01-10) Mahmud, Jubaier Al; Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; Alam, Mohammad Shafiqul; Das, Sudeb Chandra; Bradley, David Andrew; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Tokonami, Shinji; Shelley, Afroza; Yeasmin, Selina
Radon (222Rn), a radioactive and gaseous progeny of Uranium (238U) decay series, accounts for almost 50% of the total background radiation in our dwelling environment. Inhalation and ingestion of radon in excessive amounts pose serious health effects to humans. The first-ever measurement of radon concentration in commercial bottled water available in Dhaka city and deep well water samples from the campus of the University of Dhaka was carried out using the RAD7 Radon monitoring system. The concentration of radon in the bottled water ranged from 0.11 Bq/L to 1.30 Bq/L with a mean of 0.59 Bq/L, and the deep well water showed a mean of 4.88 Bq/L with a range of 3.02 Bq/L to 5.98 Bq/L. All twenty-five samples of water had radon concentrations within the recommended limits of USEPA and WHO. The mean annual effective doses from radon in bottled water and deep well water were evaluated to be 0.126 µSv/y and 12.481 µSv/y, respectively. Although the calculated doses indicate the least potential risk according to WHO and UNSCEAR, however, it is expected that the present results play an important role in setting up a national guideline for radon in drinking water, and the monitoring of radon for the safety of public health.
A Study on Measuring the 222Rn in the Buriganga River and Tap Water of the Megacity Dhaka
(PLOS ONE, 2023-05-23) Alam, M. S.; Siraz, M. M. Mahfuz; A. M., Jubair; Das, S. C.; Bradley, D. A.; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Tokonami, Shinji; Shelley, Afroza; Yeasmin, Selina
Radon (222Rn), an inert gas, is considered a silent killer due to its carcinogenic characteristics. Dhaka city is situated on the banks of the Buriganga River, which is regarded as the lifeline of Dhaka city because it serves as a significant source of the city’s water supply for domestic and industrial purposes. Thirty water samples (10 tap water from Dhaka city and 20 surface samples from the Buriganga River) were collected and analyzed using a RAD H2O accessory for 222Rn concentration. The average 222Rn concentration in tap and river water was 1.54 ± 0.38 Bq/L and 0.68 ± 0.29 Bq/L, respectively. All the values were found below the maximum contamination limit (MCL) of 11.1 Bq/L set by the USEPA, the WHO-recommended safe limit of 100 Bq/L, and the UNSCEAR suggested range of 4–40 Bq/L. The mean values of the total annual effective doses due to inhalation and ingestion were calculated to be 9.77 μSv/y and 4.29 μSv/y for tap water and river water, respectively. Although all these values were well below the permissible limit of 100 μSv/y proposed by WHO, they cannot be neglected because of the hazardous nature of 222Rn, especially considering their entry to the human body via inhalation and ingestion pathways. The obtained data may serve as a reference for future 222Rn-related works.
Evaluation of radioactivity concentration in farm fresh milk and concomitant dose to consumer
(2024-05-15) Pervina, Shikha; Kabirb, Md Minhaz; Dewanb, Md Jafor; Khandakerc, Mayeen Uddin; Yeasmin, Selina
In this study, activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in 28 raw milk samples collected from different dairy farms in Dhaka city of Bangladesh were measured using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector for the first time. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the investigated fresh milk samples ranged from BDL (Below detection level) to 26 ± 1.6 Bq/kg, BDL to 11.7 ± 3.3 Bq/kg and 101 ± 17 to 384 ± 32 Bq/kg, respectively. No artificial radionuclides were found in the investigated samples. Present results show inline within the range of available data in the literature. Annual committed effective doses were estimated following the consumption characteristics of raw milk by city population, values are found within the limiting range recommended by international organizations due to consumption of foodstuffs. Additionally, real-time gamma-ray dose rate in the farms/sampling locations was found in the range of 0.12 ± 0.01–0.20 ± 0.01 μSv/h by using a digital gamma survey meter (Gamma Scout) and the calculated maximum annual effective dose due to outdoor absorbed dose was found to be 0.25 mSv/y, which shows lower than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) recommended limit of 2.4 mSv/y. This study indicates that the concentration of radionuclides in the farm fresh milk of Dhaka city does not pose any unwanted risk to public health, and it is safe to consume by both children and adults with the current intake level.
Measurement of 222Rn in Ground Water and NORMs in Top Soil in the Environs of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Site and Associated Health Hazard
(Springer Nature, 2023-09-09) Pervin, Shikha; Banik, Subrata; Sultana, Nazneen; Karmaker, Shanjib; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Yeasmin, Selina; Uddin, Md. Mohi
This study determines the prevailing concentrations of 222Rn in twenty groundwater samples and primordial radionuclides in twelve soil samples collected from the surrounding area of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) in Bangladesh. The mean concentration of 222Rn, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the studied samples was found to be 4.42 ± 2 Bq/L (Water), 25.2 ± 5.3, 23.9 ± 6.3 and 317.1 ± 31.4 Bq kg−1 (Soil) respectively. Associated health hazards were estimated and compared with the respective safety limits recommended by international organizations. The present results may serve as the base values of naturally occurring radioactive materials in the vicinity of the RNPP in Bangladesh.
Measurement of 222Rn in ground water and NORMs in top soil in the environs of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant site and associated health hazard
(2023-08-09) Pervin, Shikha; Banik, Subrata; Sultana, Nazneen; Karmaker, Shanjib; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Yeasmin, Selina; Uddin, Md. Mohi
This study determines the prevailing concentrations of 222Rn in twenty groundwater samples and primordial radionuclides in twelve soil samples collected from the surrounding area of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) in Bangladesh. The mean concentration of 222Rn, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the studied samples was found to be 4.42 ± 2 Bq/L (Water), 25.2 ± 5.3, 23.9 ± 6.3 and 317.1 ± 31.4 Bq kg−1 (Soil) respectively. Associated health hazards were estimated and compared with the respective safety limits recommended by international organizations. The present results may serve as the base values of naturally occurring radioactive materials in the vicinity of the RNPP in Bangladesh.