Radioactivity measurements and risk assessments of spa waters in some areas in Turkey

• Published in: Isotopes in environmental and health studies 2017-03, Vol.53 (1), p.91-103
• Main Authors: Duran, Selcen Uzun, Kucukomeroglu, Belgin, Damla, Nevzat, Taskin, Halim, Celik, Necati, Cevik, Uğur, Ersoy, Hakan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cesium radioisotopes; gross alpha and beta; Ingestion; ionogenic radiation exposure; Mineral Waters - analysis; Radiation; Radiation effects; Radiation Monitoring; radioactive nuclides; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Radioisotopes - analysis; Radium isotopes; Radium radioisotopes; Risk Assessment; Rn-222; spa waters; Turkey; Water analysis; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Water sampling
• ISSN: 1025-6016; 1477-2639
• DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1116986

The current study presents the results of the activity of radionuclides in spa waters, and evaluates their radiological influences on the population consuming these waters in the Central and Eastern Black Sea regions of Turkey. Since these waters are used for therapy and consumption purposes unconsciously, their radiological impact on the people was computed by taking into consideration the annual intake through ingestion of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K, 137 Cs and 222 Rn. The mean activities were estimated to be 11.35 for gross alpha, 6.23 for gross beta, 2.96 for 226 Ra, 0.42 for 232 Th, 0.069 for 137 Cs, 0.19 for 40 K, and 267 Bq L -1 for 222 Rn, respectively. The estimated effective doses from spa water were found to be 49.77 µSv a -1 ( 226 Ra), 5.95 µSv a -1 ( 232 Th), 0.07 µSv a -1 ( 137 Cs), 0.83 µSv a -1 ( 40 K) and 56.03 µSv a -1 ( 222 Rn). These values were evaluated and compared with related verified values from literature. Also, physico-chemical characterizations of spa water samples considered in the current study were investigated. This study would be useful for consumers and official authorities for the assessment of radiation exposure risk due to usage of the considered spa waters.