Natural radionuclides monitoring in drinking water of Homs city

• Radon in drinking water was measured in houses and sources.
• Radon in houses ranged from 2.8 to 15.3 Bq/L and from 7.5 to 28.4 Bq/L in sources.
• Significant differences between sources and houses were found.
• Total alpha/beta and radium-226 content were within the international allowed limits.

Radon concentrations, total alpha/beta and radium-226 content in drinking water of Homs city were measured at the sources and in some homes. Results showed that radon concentrations ranged from 2.8 to 15.3 Bq/L in homes and from 7.5 to 28.4 Bq/L in sources. In addition, the averages of total alpha, total beta, and radium-226 activity concentration were found for sources 260±70 mBq\L, 220±70 mBq\L and 45±2 mBq\L and for homes 110±30 mBq\L, 280±180 mBq\L and 15±1 mBq\L respectively. Significant differences in concentration were found between the sources and the homes. In general, all results showed that concentrations are within the international allowed limits.