Recent challenges on cancer health risks determinants from quality drinking water samples in some selected areas in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Radon (²²²Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that constitutes one of the major contributors to natural background radiation exposure and poses significant health risks to humans. Although alpha particles emitted by radon cannot penetrate the skin, inhalation of radon released from water during domestic activities and ingestion of radon-contaminated drinking water may increase the risks of lung and gastrointestinal cancers. This study assessed the concentration of ²²²Rn and the associated radiological health risks in drinking water obtained from selected communities in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Eight water samples, comprising four borehole and four hand-dug well samples, were collected from four locations and analyzed using a Liquid Scintillation Counter (Tri-Carb LSA-1000) at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The mean radon concentrations were 16.48 Bq/L for hand-dug well water and 16.23 Bq/L for borehole water. These values exceed the guideline limits of 10 Bq/L recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 11.1 Bq/L recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The estimated annual effective doses due to inhalation remained below the recommended safety limits for all age groups, whereas the annual effective doses due to ingestion and the corresponding excess lifetime cancer risks exceeded the recommended values. These findings indicate that the investigated water sources may pose potential health risks if consumed without treatment. Therefore, appropriate water treatment and routine radiological monitoring are recommended to minimize radon exposure and protect public health.