Age-Stratified Spatial Radiological Risk Assessment of 226Ra 232Th and 40K in Water Surrounding the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania
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Date
2025-09-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Long-term ingestion of water contaminated with naturally occurring radioactive material
(NORM) may pose health risks. Water around the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania was assessed
by high-purity germanium gamma spectrometry to quantify the activity concentrations
of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, and computed age-stratified ingestion doses and risk indices
were determined. The average activity concentrations were 57 mBq L−1 for 226Ra and
5026 mBq L−1 for 40K, while the activity concentrations of 232Th were below the detection
limit in all samples. The estimated adult fatal cancer risk ranged from 0.9 × 10−6 to
3.1 × 10−6 (mean 2.0 × 10−6). The excess lifetime hereditary effect ranged from 2.0 ×
10−6 to 7.3 × 10−6 for males (average 4.5 × 10−6 ± 1.5 × 10−6) and 2.1 × 10−6 to 7.7
× 10−6 for females (average 4.8 × 10−6 ± 1.6 × 10−6). One-way ANOVA and Pearson
correlations indicated significant spatial variation in activities and indices across sites and
age groups. Under current conditions, waters appear to be radiologically safe. However,
mine-adjacent hotspots warrant targeted surveillance. The obtained results provide a
baseline for sound monitoring approaches at the Geita Gold Mine and other mines showing
similar activity profiles.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Keywords
Ingestion dose, Natural radioactivity, Radiological risk assessment, Radioactive material, Water quality monitoring, Geita Gold Mine