Radon measurement in the Himalayan region is crucial due to the unique geological composition that may lead to elevated radon levels in water sources, posing potential health risks to the local population. This study focuses on radon concentration in drinking water collected from 13 spring water samples and 13 groundwater samples (via hand pumps) across various locations in the Devprayag region. Radon levels were assessed using the SMART RnDuo continuous radon monitor. The concentration in spring water varied between 0.7 Bq/L and 64.4 Bq/L, while groundwater levels ranged from 0.6 Bq/L to 79.5 Bq/L. Although the radon levels in the samples fell within the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the estimated annual effective dose from radon ingestion and inhalation surpassed the WHO's safety threshold of 100 μSv/year in several areas. These results highlight the necessity of ongoing radon monitoring in the region to reduce long-term health risks and guide safety standards for drinking water.

This research investigates exhalation rates of radon ( 222 Rn) and thoron ( 220 Rn) from soil samples in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of the Indian Himalayas. Before sampling, gamma radiation rates were evaluated, ranging from 0.08 to 0.33 µSv/h. The observed 222 Rn mass exhalation rates range between 3.56 and 82.08 mBq/kg/h, with an average of 25.67 mBq/kg/h. Additionally, the surface exhalation rate of 220 Rn varies from 1.28 to 22.69 Bq/m 2 /s, averaging 7.90 Bq/m 2 /s. Projected 220 Rn mass emission rates span 154–2356 mBq/kg/s, with a mean of 939 mBq/kg/s. The dataset analysis employs best-fit statistics, revealing the Weibull distribution as the optimal model for gamma dose rate and 220 Rn mass emanation rates. Lognormal distribution suits 222 Rn mass exhalation rates, and the Gamma distribution excels for 220 Rn surface exhalation rates, aligning with log-likelihood estimator indications.

This study examines 52 water samples from diverse locations in the Dehradun district, measuring radon activity concentrations with a scintillation-based monitor. The findings indicate an average concentration of 33.97 Bq/L, ranging from 3.35 to 99.25 Bq/L. Beyond this, the research estimates annual effective ingestion (µSv/y), inhalation (µSv/y), and total (µSv/y) doses attributed to radon in the drinking water samples, offering insights into potential health risks. Additionally, the study explores spatial patterns in the dataset, providing a geographic perspective on radon distribution across the region. This spatial analysis enhances our understanding of localised exposure risks, contributing valuable information for public health and environmental considerations in the Dehradun district.

The present study is conducted to assess the radiological and hydrogeochemical quality of earthly bore potable water in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Radon activity concentrations in water samples ranged from 0.59 ± 0.04 to 57.32 ± 4.39 Bq/L. The average activity concentration of radon is estimated as 10.46 ± 1.05 Bq/L. Annual Effective Inhalation dose to humans ranged from 1.48 μSv/Y to 144.45 μSv/Y with an average value of 26.36 μSv/Y. Ca 2+ > Na + > Mg 2+ > K + and HCO 3 − > CaCO 3 − > SO 4 2− > Cl − > NO 3 − > F − were the concentration orders of the primary cations and anions. The majority of tests contained acceptable levels of ions and TDS, indicating that the region’s groundwater is safe for consumption. For irrigation purposes, the sodium absorption rate, sodium percentage, and magnesium risks were examined. The weathering of rocks was discovered to be the key factor influencing the chemistry of the groundwater in the region. The spatial patterns of observed fluctuations were investigated using the collected data set.

In the present study, 80 samples of water from hand pumps and 63 samples of tap water were collected from the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, state of India. The radon activity concentration is varied from 1 to 21 Bq/L with a mean value of 7 ± 4 Bq/L in tap water samples while for handpump water samples radon activity concentration is varied from 3 to 42 Bq/L with a mean value of 20 ± 9 Bq/L. The average radon level in drinking water in the study region was higher than the radon level in water of Haridwar and Karanprayag districts of Uttarakhand and lower than the radon level in the drinking water of Dehradun, New Tehri, Pauri Garhwal and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand. The mathematical estimation of radiological dose due to inhalation and ingestion of radon in water was calculated and discussed in detail in this study. Age dependent effective dose is estimated to compare the radiological effect on different age-groups. The trend of the mean values of radon ingestion dose in distinct age-groups is likely to be as infants > adults > children.

The present study had an objective to approximate radon and uranium as naturally occurring radioactive constituents in spring-water samples and assessment of AED (annual effective dose), radiological risks; and chemical toxicity, when spring-water is the source of drinking water. Based on the population density in study area (Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, India), random sampling process was adopted for the collection of water samples from eighty natural springs. The concentration of radon was estimated using Advanced SMART RnDuo while for estimation of uranium, LED fluorimeter was used. The observed values were subjected to statistical analysis to illustrate the spatial distribution of radon and uranium in the study area as well as for determination of associated health risks for inhabitants. The results revealed that radon activity in spring-water samples varies from 3.4 to 101.3 Bq/L with a mean value of 34.4 +/- 3.8 Bq/L while the uranium concentration in water samples ranges from 0.1 to 28.4 mu g/L with the mean value of 1.6 mu g/L. In 35% samples radon concentration has been found more than the permissible limit prescribed by UNSCEAR. The observed values of electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolve solids (TDS) were also found within the recommended limits of WHO. Therefore the relatively higher observed concentration of radon in spring water than the permissible limits of health regulatory agencies may be a matter of concern in radiological prospective as well as for chemical toxicity in infants and children inhibiting the study area.

The purpose of this study is to observe the rate of seed germination under the influence of electric and magnetic field of various strengths theoretically. Here the germination rates of seeds treated with electric field and non- treated are comparatively studied. It is also seen that electric field affects the movement of ions, electrons and other charged species and causes changes in cell division and growth of the plant. It is concluded that the seeds stimulated by magnetic field germinate earlier than the seeds stimulated by electric field. In this way, it is concluded that overall growth factor is found more significant in magnetically treated seeds than electrically treated seeds. An attempt to compare effects of electric and magnetic fields on the germination of seeds has been made in the study. Future aspects of these kinds of studies has been discussed in details.