Evaluation of Dose due to Ingestion of Natural Radionuclides of the Uranium Series in Spring Waters

• Published in: Radiation research 1998-08, Vol.150 (2), p.250-252
• Main Authors: Mazzilli, B., Camargo, I. M. C., Oliveira, J., Nieri, A., Sampa, M. H. O., Silva, B. L. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Ingestion; International cooperation; Mineral water; Minerals; Natural springs; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Radiation Dosage; Radionuclides; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Short Communication; Spring water; Uranium; Uranium - analysis; Water consumption; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Water Supply; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0033-7587; 1938-5404
• DOI: 10.2307/3579860

The concentrations of uranium isotopes and their decay products 226 Ra, 222 Rn, 210 Pb and 210 Po have been analyzed in the mineral spring waters of a highly radioactive region of Brazil: Águas da Prata. This region is located in the Poços de Caldas Plateau, one of the largest weathered alkaline intrusions in the world. Dose calculations were performed to evaluate the relative importance of these radionuclides in the exposure of the local population to radiation. Based upon concentrations measured in all the springs available, effective doses per year varying from $1.4\times 10^{-4}\ {\rm mSv}\ \text{year}^{-1}$ for ^{238}{\rm U}\ \text{to}\ 5.1\times 10^{-2}\ {\rm mSv}\ \text{year}^{-1}$ for 222 Rn were observed. The doses from the ingestion of 222 Rn, 210 Po and 210 Pb are of the same order of magnitude, and therefore these radionuclides are the most critical as far as the consumption of these waters is concerned.