AGE-DEPENDENT DOSE ASSESSMENT OF 226Ra FROM BOTTLED WATER INTAKE

Abstract

Water may present a source of prolonged exposure to naturally occurring radionuclides. One of the most frequently occurring radionuclides in natural mineral and spring waters is 226Ra and its decay products. The contribution of drinking water to the total exposure is very small, at about 5% of the average effective dose attributable annually to natural background radiation, but that exposure contributes to the risk of adverse health consequences. In this study the mean values of 226Ra concentration determined in natural mineral and spring bottled waters range from 6 to 412 mBq L(-1), which is in accord with Croatian legislation. 226Ra effective doses per year from spring water consumption range up to 86 microSv, while 226Ra effective doses per year from mineral water consumption show much higher values. The highest 226Ra effective doses per year from mineral waters consumption, which are up to seven times higher than the dose recommended by WHO (100 microSv), were found in infants and teens. Based on this study, drinking of certain brands of bottled mineral water is not recommended for these age groups because assessed 226Ra effective doses per year exceed the recommended limits. From other research it is known that testosterone appears in elevated concentration during these life periods and affects bone calcification. Therefore, testosterone could affect the retention of 226Ra into the bone. To make more precise conclusions further research is necessary. Adults and especially elderly people are much less susceptible to the presence of 226Ra. According to the results obtained in this study, 226Ra effective doses per year assessed for these age groups were considerably lower (i.e., 10 microSv).

Radioactivity in drinking water: regulations, monitoring results and radiation protection issues

“…Results have been summarized by J. Longtin [4]. Mostly uranium isotopes, Subsequently extensive studies have been performed both on ground waters feeding public water resources [19][20][21][22], and on spring or bottled mineral waters [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Many other studies are available, including reports by national authorities [32][33][34].…”

Assessment of radiation dose due to intake of uranium through groundwater and its carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks in southwest and northeast Punjab, India

“…The annual effective dose to human due to uranium consumption was quantified using equation (1) 17,18 where D is annual effective dose (Sv y −1 ); C is activity concentration of uranium (Bq/m 3 ); DWI is daily water intake (4.05 × 10 − 3 m 3 /day) 19 ; DCF is dose conversion factor (4.5 × 10 − 8 Sv Bq −1 ) given by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 20…”

Prenatal, Early Life, and Childhood Exposure to Genotoxicants in the Living Environment

“…According to Bronzović et al (66) 226 Ra body activity is significantly higher in people exposed to high doses during childhood than those exposed at adult age. Accumulation of radon in bones during puberty may be related to specific hormonal activity of testosterone and oestrogen (67). The mechanism of 90 Sr bioaccumulation in the bone is similar to 226 Ra, but according to Tolstykh et al (68) its bone affi nity is even greater, as shown in a population overexposed to 90 Sr near the Mayak plutonium production complex in Russia.…”