Spatial distributions of natural radionuclide concentrations of bottled mineral water: doses estimation and health risk assessment

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of the various types of water reveal that groundwater comprises 99% of the earth’s available fresh water. Many factors affect the type and degree of mineralization, as well as the natural radionuclides content in these types of water. The consumption of bottled natural mineral water, which comes from groundwater, among Iranians is gradually increasing. Therefore, the detection of high concentrations of radionuclides, associated with consumption of groundwater, is proposed as a public health problem in several areas. Methods: In this study, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides such as 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb, and 40K, annual effective dose for three age groups (<1 year, 7-12 years, and >17 years), and excess lifetime cancer risk due to the ingestion of natural radionuclides present in 70 different commercial bottled mineral waters from most provinces of Iran, were evaluated. Activity concentrations were measured using gamma spectrometry and a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). Results: The results showed that the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were higher than those reported in the same studies in other countries. Also, the annul effective dose for the three age groups was much higher than the recommended value (0.1 mSvyr-1), as reported by the WHO. The excess lifetime cancer risk for three radionuclides, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K, were less than the acceptable value of 10-3 for radiological risk, while the risk for 210Pb was higher than the recommended value. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the frequent use of bottled waters produced in different provinces of Iran possess health hazards to consumers.

Natural Radionuclides in Bottled Mineral Waters Consumed in Turkey and Their Contribution to Radiation Dose

“… 3 , 4 Assessment of various water types reveals that groundwater accounts for 99% of freshwater, which is only 2.5% of all water supplies in the world. 5 It is predicted that about one-third of the world’s population utilizes groundwater as drinking water. 6 Groundwater contains dissolved minerals and natural radionuclides in the 238 U and 232 Th decay series and 40 K with different concentrations.…”

“…When the literature is viewed from this point of view, it is seen that, in recent years, there has been an increased worldwide interest in studies on natural radioactivity measurements in BMWs and extensive studies have been carried out in many countries. 2 − 5 , 10 , 11 , 20 − 24 The available literature shows that there are only a few studies on the determination of activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Turkish BMWs. Kopya et al 25 measured the activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 137 Cs, and 40 K and gross α/β in 13 mineral water samples collected from six different provinces in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey.…”

“…are vulnerable to contamination with radionuclides, toxic organic and inorganic chemicals, etc. caused by natural events and human activities. , Assessment of various water types reveals that groundwater accounts for 99% of freshwater, which is only 2.5% of all water supplies in the world . It is predicted that about one-third of the world’s population utilizes groundwater as drinking water .…”

“…The Turkish regulations set the MPLs of 1.5 and 2 Bq/L for gross α and gross β activity concentrations in BMWs . However, BMW may contain many predominant dissolved natural radionuclides that cause health hazards. , Therefore, the radiological quality of mineral water bottled for commercial distribution, whose consumption is increasing year after year in the world, must be carefully and systematically controlled or ensured to be of low radioactivity. When the literature is viewed from this point of view, it is seen that, in recent years, there has been an increased worldwide interest in studies on natural radioactivity measurements in BMWs and extensive studies have been carried out in many countries. − ,,,− The available literature shows that there are only a few studies on the determination of activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Turkish BMWs.…”

“…However, BMW may contain many predominant dissolved natural radionuclides that cause health hazards. , Therefore, the radiological quality of mineral water bottled for commercial distribution, whose consumption is increasing year after year in the world, must be carefully and systematically controlled or ensured to be of low radioactivity. When the literature is viewed from this point of view, it is seen that, in recent years, there has been an increased worldwide interest in studies on natural radioactivity measurements in BMWs and extensive studies have been carried out in many countries. − ,,,− The available literature shows that there are only a few studies on the determination of activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Turkish BMWs. Kopya et al measured the activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 137 Cs, and 40 K and gross α/β in 13 mineral water samples collected from six different provinces in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey.…”