A new scientific study has revealed that Meghalaya elevated radon groundwater levels may pose serious long-term health risks to communities relying on wells and springs. The study, conducted in the Baridua area of Ri-Bhoi district, found radon concentrations in groundwater significantly higher than global safety limits, raising concerns over potential radiation exposure in the state.
The research, led by Hari Prasad Jaishi and Devashree Borgohain of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), examined groundwater samples and discovered radon levels ranging from 15.44 to 224.41 Bq/L, with an average of 50.31 Bq/L. This exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline of 11.1 Bq/L, while one sample even surpassed the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 100 Bq/L.
Understanding the Risk: What Elevated Radon Means for Meghalaya
Radon in Groundwater
Radon (²²²Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium in rock and soil. Meghalaya’s geological composition — rich in uranium-bearing granite, quartzite, and gneiss — makes it particularly vulnerable to high radon seepage into aquifers. When groundwater is drawn for household use, radon gas escapes into indoor air, especially during cooking, washing, and bathing.
The Meghalaya elevated radon groundwater issue, therefore, has dual risks — ingestion through water and inhalation of airborne radon, both of which can increase the risk of lung and stomach cancer over time .
Seasonal Variations and Children’s Vulnerability
Another research paper titled “Deterministic Analysis and Monte Carlo-Based Health Risk Assessment of Seasonal Radon Exposure in Groundwater and Soil of Meghalaya” found that radon concentrations peak in summer due to higher temperatures and soil permeability. Summer readings reached 57.87 Bq/L, compared to 29.30 Bq/L in winter, increasing the exposure dose beyond WHO’s annual safe limit of 100 µSv for both adults and children.
Children remain especially vulnerable due to higher water intake and faster breathing rates. Long-term exposure to Meghalaya elevated radon groundwater may lead to cellular damage and genetic mutations, as noted in multiple global radon studies .
Why Meghalaya Is a Hotspot for Radon Contamination
The study attributes these elevated levels to the region’s tectonic structures, including the Dauki Fault and Barapani–Tyrsad Shear Zone, which act as channels allowing radon gas to migrate upward into groundwater reservoirs. Additionally, stone quarrying and boulder mining around Baridua could further disturb uranium-rich rock formations, increasing radon emission into water sources.
Experts have urged the state government to impose stricter monitoring around industrial and mining zones and to conduct detailed geospatial mapping of high-risk radon areas.
Urgent Need for Monitoring and Mitigation
The discovery of Meghalaya elevated radon groundwater levels underscores the need for a statewide radon monitoring program. Public health authorities and water boards must:
- Conduct routine radon testing of wells, boreholes, and springs.
- Launch awareness campaigns to educate residents about simple mitigation techniques, such as ventilating bathrooms and kitchens.
- Incorporate radon checks into Meghalaya’s drinking water safety regulations.
- Collaborate with national agencies like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to develop a regional radon mitigation roadmap.
If ignored, the issue could become a hidden health emergency for future generations in the Northeast.
The Road Ahead: Safeguarding Meghalaya’s Water and People
Meghalaya’s lush hills conceal not only natural beauty but also geological challenges that require scientific vigilance. Addressing the Meghalaya elevated radon groundwater problem demands swift collaboration between researchers, government bodies, and local communities.
With continuous monitoring, public education, and responsible mining practices, Meghalaya can ensure that its pristine groundwater remains a source of life, not a silent hazard.
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