| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879816 | Applied Radiation and Isotopes | 2007 | 9 Pages |
The radiological quality in some samples of drinking water collected in Italy has been evaluated in the paper. As far as the measured α or β radionuclides are concerned, the doses for all the analysed samples of drinking water are in the range of 1.80–36.2 μSv yr−1, all being well below the reference level of the committed effective dose (100 μSv yr−1) recommended by the WHO. As far as each measured α or β radionuclide is concerned, the dose contributions for most of the analysed water samples are in this order: 210Po>228Ra>226Ra>234U>238U>224Ra>235U, and 210Po and 228Ra can yield a significant contribution to the doses from the analysed drinking water samples. As far as the elements are concerned, the dose contributions are 48.0±27.9% from radium, 31.7±23.1% from polonium, and 20.3±14.1% from uranium. The water samples, No. 2, 7, 13, and 15, can lead to a dose of >10 μSv yr−1, mainly due to the dose contribution from 210Po and 228Ra, especially water samples No. 2 and 13. The obtained data can provide basic information for consumers and competent authorities regarding the internal exposure risk due to drinking water intake, and can possibly serve as a comparison when evaluating the dose contribution from artificial radionuclides released to the environment as a result of any human practices and accidents in the studied area.
