Determination of Ra-226 concentration in bottled mineral water and assessment of effective doses, a survey in Turkey

Abstract

Background: There is a rapid increase worldwide in the consumption of mineral waters which may contain different level of radioactive elements, especially, Ra-226 K in addition to varying amounts of beneficial salts. Therefore, a comprehensive study was planned and carried out in order to determine concentration of Ra-226 natural radionuclide in bottled mineral waters that commercially available in Marmara Region of Turkey. Materials and Methods: The method used for Ra-226 concentration analysis bases on the measurement of Radon (Rn-222) coming from Ra-226 dissolved in the water. The measurements were performed using RAD 7, a solid state a detector, with RAD H2O accessory manufactured by DURRIDGE COMPANY Inc. Results: The Ra-226 concentration in mineral waters was found to vary from <0.074 to 0.625 Bql(-1) with an average value of 0.267 Bql(-1). The committed effective doses due to ingestion of Ra-226 from the one year consumption of these waters were estimated to range from 10.8 to 90 mu Svy(-1), from 9 to 75 mu Svy(-1) and from 3.15 to 26.25 mu Svy(-1), for infants, children and adults, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study indicate that the committed effective doses are below the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended reference level of 100 mu Svy(-1).