Radiation Physics and Engineering
A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Investigation of radon concentration in water samples from the industrial area of Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria‎

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Michael Oluwasegun Dada 1
Morohunfoluwa Adeola Olaoye 1
Nwanne Theresa Ilugo 2
Oluwadamilare Joshua Dada 3

1 Department of Physics, Lagos State University, Lagos State, Nigeria

2 Department of Physics, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

3 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2025.545855.1299
Abstract
Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that poses health risks primarily through inhalation of its decay products; dissolved radon in drinking water contributes to internal exposure via ingestion and, more significantly, through degassing into indoor air, where it increases airborne radon concentrations. In typical scenarios, waterborne radon contributes approximately 10% to the total effective dose via ingestion and up to 90% via transfer to indoor air in homes with high water usage. This study investigates levels of radon (Rn-222) in 20 water samples collected from boreholes, wells, and the Surin River within Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria, in May 2025. The levels were measured with LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors with levels of 5.7 ± 1.3 Bq.L-1 (sample W7, water from well) to 39.7 ± 8.3 Bq.L-1 (sample W16, Surin River), and a mean of 13.535 ± 2.505 Bq.L-1. Annual Effective Dose (AED) ranged from 0.0146 to 0.1016 mSv.y⁻¹, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) ranged between 0.0512 × 10⁻³ to 0.3557 × 10⁻³, both below international safety limits. The average concentration is above Nigeria's recommended limit of 11.1 Bq.L-1 for potable water, particularly from the Surin River that accumulates industrial effluents, suggesting effects of industrial wastes or geological activities. Even though the levels fall below the World Health Organization's (WHO) 100 Bq.L-1 threshold, the breach of the Nigerian limit in a few samples indicates real health issues for consumers of un-treated water, necessitating continuous surveillance.

Highlights

  • The initial and entire assessment of Rn-222 concentration in drinking water sources in Igbesa has been recorded.
  • Using LR-115 detectors, 11 of well, borehole, and Surin River samples were detected above Nigeria’s guideline value.
  • AED and ELCR, which are both less than international tolerance, representing low short-term risk.
  • Elevated levels in industrial belt locations present a potential long-term health hazard to dependent populations.

Keywords

Radon
LR-115 detector
Water samples
Radiation safety
Annual Effective Dose
Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk

Copyright
RPE is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no potential conflict of interest regarding the publication of this work‎.

Funding
‎The authors declare that no funds‎, ‎grants‎, ‎or other financial support were received during the preparation of this manuscript‎.

Durrani, S. A. and Ilic, R. (1997). Radon measurements by etched track detectors-applications in radiation protection, earth sciences. world scientific.
Font, L., Baixeras, C., Domingo, C., et al. (1999). Experimental and theoretical study of radon levels and entry mechanisms in a Mediterranean climate house. Radiation Measurements, 31(1-6):277–282.
Hopke, P., Borak, T., Doull, J., et al. (2000). Health risks due to radon in drinking water.
ISO (2019). Measurement of radioactivity in the environment Air: radon-222 Part 1: Origins of radon and its short-lived decay products and associated measurement methods, ISO 11665-1:2019(en).
Nakale, J. A., Ayua, K. J., Uloko, F. O., et al. (2023). Determination of Radon Concentration in Selected Groundwater Sources in Obajana, Kogi State. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 32(1):40–49.
Nikezic, D. and Yu, K. (2004). Formation and growth of tracks in nuclear track materials. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, 46(3-5):51–123.
Ogunremi, A., Mustapha, A., Makinde, V., et al. (2020). Assessment of Natural Radionuclides in Soil samples and Estimation of Radiation Doses around the proposed Phosphate Mining area in Oshosun, Ogun-State. Nigeria. Unpublished Dissertation.
Oni, E. A. and Adagunodo, T. A. (2019). Assessment of radon concentration in groundwater within Ogbomoso, SW Nigeria. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series, volume 1299, page 012098. IOP Publishing.
Tanner, A. B. (1992). Bibliography of radon in the outdoor environment and selected references on gas mobility in the ground. Technical report, US Geological Survey: Copies may be obtained from Open File Reports Section.
UNSCEAR (2001). UNSCEAR Report 2000: sources and effects of ionizing radiation. Vesterbacka, P. (2007). Natural radioactivity in drinking water in finland. Boreal Environment Research, 12(1):11.
WHO (2009). WHO handbook on indoor radon: a public health perspective. World Health Organization.
Radiation Physics and Engineering
Volume 7, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 71-76

  • Receive Date 08 September 2025
  • Revise Date 18 December 2025
  • Accept Date 26 December 2025

Home

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us