Radiological Health Risk Assessment of Radon in Natural Hot Springs and Consumption Water in Phunphin and Khian Sa Districts, Surat Thani Province

2026-07-01T09:35:53+07:00

Radon is a radioactive element that naturally decays from sources containing uranium and radium in soil, rocks, and groundwater. In particular, fractured areas, such as natural hot springs, can exhibit high radon concentrations. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and measure radon concentrations in natural hot spring water and consumption water. Additionally, this study evaluated the annual effective dose from radon exposure in natural hot springs for wellness tourism, specifically at the Tha Sathon Hot Spring in Phunphin District and the Khao Tok Hot Spring in Khian Sa District, Surat Thani Province. A total of 33 samples were analyzed, comprising natural hot spring water, tap water, and bottled drinking water. The results showed that the mean temperature was 37.42±11.66 °C, the mean pH was 7.21±0.49, the mean electrical conductivity (EC) was 0.08±0.06 S/m, the mean total dissolved solids (TDS) was 0.42±0.30 g/L, the mean salinity was 0.42±0.05 ppt, and the mean dissolved oxygen (DO) was 8.12±0.47 mg/L. The mean radon concentrations in the water within the study area ranged from $0.15±0.00 Bq/L to 119.47±24.12 Bq/L, with an overall average of 35.87±46.98 Bq/L. This overall average exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water (11.1 Bq/L) defined by the US EPA but was lower than the WHO reference level (100 Bq/L). Additionally, the average radon concentration in hot springs (63.93±48.16 Bq/L) was significantly higher than that found in tap water (2.71±1.03 Bq/L) and bottled drinking water (0.15±0.00 Bq/L). The average background radiation dose in the study area was 3.29±2.58 mSv/y, which was higher than the global average (2.4± mSv/y). The estimated total annual effective dose from radon ingestion and inhalation in the study area averaged approximately 97.95±128.23 µSv/y. Regarding internal organ effects, the annual effective doses to the stomach and lungs were approximately 0.91±1.18 µSv/y and 10.85±14.21 µSv/y, respectively, which were below the WHO reference level (100 µSv/y). However, as numerous factors influence radon concentrations, further in-depth studies are recommended. Continuous monitoring and surveillance in the study area and other locations should also be conducted to better understand the actual radon risk and to ensure the safety and health of both residents and tourists.

Development of Learning Achievement and Physics Problem-Solving Skills on Wave Optics of Grade 11 Students Using 7E Inquiry-Based Learning Combined with the KWDL Technique

2026-06-30T13:54:13+07:00

The objectives of this research are as follows: 1) to determine the efficiency and the effectiveness index of the 7E Inquiry-Based Learning process integrated with the KWDL technique; 2) to compare students' academic achievement before and after the intervention, and to compare the achievement against a 70% criterion between the 7E-KWDL approach and conventional 7E instruction; 3) to compare physics problem-solving skills between the 7E-KWDL approach and conventional 7E instruction; and 4) to evaluate students' satisfaction towards the implemented learning management. The samples consisted of 81 grade 11 students of Suratpittaya School, Surat Thani Province, divided into 46 in the experimental group and 35 in the control group. The research instruments included lesson plans, pretest and posttest academic achievement tests, a physics problem-solving skill assessment, and a satisfaction questionnaire. The percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics were used for data analysis. The research findings revealed that the learning management plan achieved an efficiency of 77.93/71.85, which exceeded the set criteria of 70/70. Additionally, the effectiveness index was 0.61, surpassing the established threshold of 0.50. The average post-instruction learning achievement was 14.37±3.16 out of 20 points, which was significantly higher than the pre-instruction score (5.54±1.70) at the 0.01 level, and also considerably higher than the post-instruction learning achievement of the control group receiving conventional instruction (10.69±3.55) at the 0.05 level. In addition, 56.52% of the students achieved post-instruction scores above the 70% criterion. Students’ overall physics problem-solving skills were at a very high level (4.63±0.51), and their overall satisfaction with the learning management approach was at the highest level (4.91±0.29). Furthermore, questioning techniques should be employed to enable students to analyze problem requirements more rapidly. Additionally, the continuous development of students' diverse learning skills is essential to further enhance their academic achievement effectively.

Journal of Physics and General Science

Radiological Health Risk Assessment of Radon in Natural Hot Springs and Consumption Water in Phunphin and Khian Sa Districts, Surat Thani Province

Development of Learning Achievement and Physics Problem-Solving Skills on Wave Optics of Grade 11 Students Using 7E Inquiry-Based Learning Combined with the KWDL Technique