Measurements of alpha radioactivity in arsenic contaminated tubewell drinking water using CR-39 detector

Studies on the presence of alpha emitting nuclides in the environment assume importance since they are found to be carcinogenic. This paper presents the first ever report of the measurements of alpha activity in drinking water in different places of South and North 24 Parganas of West Bengal where arsenic contamination is severe. The study has been made with solid state nuclear track detector which is one of the most commonly used detectors in the studies involving nuclear radiation. Our analysis provides positive evidence of presence of high alpha activity in drinking water of South and North 24 Parganas. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.