Estimation and Risk Assessment of Natural Uranium Radioactivity in the Yamuna River Water, Delhi Using LED Fluorimetry and Biokinetic Modelling

Abstract

Water is crucial for sustaining life, and its quality directly impacts public health. The existence of radioactive compounds, such as uranium (²³⁸U) and its decay product, radon (²²²Rn), can render water unsafe for consumption. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the presence and concentration of these elements in water. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the radioactivity levels in water samples collected from the Yamuna River in Delhi. Uranium concentration is determined using LED fluorimetry technique, and various chemical and radiological risks such as annual effective dose, lifetime average daily dose, hazard quotient, and excess cancer risk, associated with uranium presence are evaluated. The samples average uranium concentration is 28.37 µg/L, which lies within the safe levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization. In order to forecast how uranium will distribute within the body organs, the study also takes into account the age-specific biokinetic framework offered by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). While the radiological hazards remain low, higher LADD value in certain samples indicates a potential chemical toxicity concern. It is observed that areas with high fertilizer use and drainage systems close to rivers are associated with increased uranium levels.