Radiochemical characterization of spring waters in Balaton Upland, Hungary, estimation of radiation dose to members of public

Hungary is rich in spring waters. A survey studying the naturally occurring alpha emitter radionuclides in 30 frequently visited and regularly consumed spring waters was conducted out in the Balaton Upland region of Hungary.226Ra, 224Ra, 234U, 238U and 210Po activity concentrations were determined by using alpha spectrometry after separation from matrix elements. Average concentration (mBq L− 1) of 226Ra, 224Ra, 234U, 238U and 210Po in the spring waters is varied from 2.1 to 601, from < 1.1 to 65.4, from 3.9 to 741.9, from < 0.44 to 274.3 and from 2 to 15.2 respectively. In most cases radioactive disequilibrium was observed between uranium and radium isotopes. The doses for the analyzed samples of spring water are in the range 3.59–166.73 μSv y− 1 with an average 18.2 μSv y− 1 .This is well below the 100 μSv y− 1 reference level of the committed effective dose recommended by WHO. Only one water sample had a dose higher than 100 μSv y− 1, mainly due to the contribution from radium (226Ra, 224Ra) and 210Po isotopes. This study provides important information for consumers and authorities about their internal radiological exposure risk from spring water intake.