Environ Geochem Health. 2026 Aug 1;48(12):500. doi: 10.1007/s10653-026-03401-7.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the radioactivity levels and associated radiological health risks of groundwater surrounding a coal-based super thermal power plant in Jhajjar district, Haryana, India. A total of seventy groundwater samples were gathered from thirty-five locations within a 20 km radius, along with five background sites located beyond that distance and were analysed for 40K, 238U, and 232Th using a Sodium Iodide, Thallium-activated (NaI (Tl)) scintillation detector. The activity concentrations in the 20 km area varied from 0.11 to 37.72 Bq/L for 40K (with an average of 8.14 ± 0.37 Bq/L), 0.01 to 3.13 Bq/L for 238U (average 0.82 ± 0.07 Bq/L), and 0.01 to 3.52 Bq/L for 232Th (average 0.45 ± 0.04 Bq/L). These levels were notably higher than the regional background levels measured beyond 20 km. The Annual Effective Dose and the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk derived from radiological parameters showed the variation from 0.047 to 0.489 mSv y⁻1, and 1.64 × 10⁻4 to 17.12 × 10⁻4 respectively. Approximately 60% of the groundwater samples exceeded the WHO (2017) guideline value for uranium (238U; 0.5 Bq/L), while about 40% exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) reference level for Total Annual Effective Dose from drinking water (0.1 mSv y⁻1). Furthermore, five sampling locations (W14, W17, W 18, W19 and W21) exceeded the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP, 2007) benchmark for Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (1 × 10⁻3). The elevated radionuclide concentrations within the 20 km radius were likely influenced by fly ash dispersion from the thermal power plant, as inferred from spatial, statistical, and wind-direction patterns, in addition to natural contributions from the regional geology. These results set a quantitative radiological baseline for the study area and showed how important it is to regularly check the groundwater to make sure it meets international radiological safety standards.
PMID:42542540 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-026-03401-7
