Radio-epidemiological evaluation and remediation in water sources from two mines in South Africa

Background: In this study, the health risk associated with three types of drinking waters (fissure, underground treated and surrounding waters) from two mines in South Africa were assessed. Materials and Methods: The measurement of the radionuclides concentration was carried out by liquid scintillation counter and alpha spectrometer. The estimated radiological risk pose to the people consuming the water types were evaluated based on the calculated radionuclide concentrations. Results: The value of the gross alpha was 1.15 ± 0.13 Bq/L and gross beta activity was 0.87 ± 0.11 Bq/L in the treated underground water. These values were several fold above the limit value of 1.0 Bq/L for gross alpha and 0.1 Bq/L for gross beta. For the fissure water, the gross alpha activity value was 0.56 ± 0.10 Bq/L which is less than the limit of 1.0 Bq/L and the gross beta activity was high with a value of 0.52 ± 0.11 Bq/L compared to the limit value of 0.1 Bq/L. The results around the Princess gold mine showed very high gross alpha and beta activity in the collected water samples studied. In general, the concentrations of the natural radionuclides were high especially 238U, 226Ra, 230Th, 235U, 234U and 210Po in all the water samples. Conclusion: The calculated chemical toxicity, cancer mortality/morbidity and hazards quotient with respect to 238U were very high. Hence, the waters within these vicinities are polluted with radionuclides and may posed serious health effect to the inhabitant.