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Concentration levels of 226Ra, 210Pb and 222Rn have been analysed in most of the bottled waters commercially available in Portugal, as well as in some spring waters. Concentrations up to abut 2 Bq.l-1, with a geometric mean of 27 mBq.l-1 were observed for 226Ra. For 210Pb a geometric mean of 18 mBq.l-1 with values ranging from 2 to 392 mBq.l-1 and for 222Rn a geometric mean of 17 Bq.l-1 with values ranging from <1 to 814 Bq.l-1 were measured. These values are compared with concentrations reported for other countries. Doses resulting from the consumption of these waters were calculated. The effective dose equivalents due to the intake of 226Ra and 210Pb present in these waters are expected to range from about 5 x 10-3 to 0.2 mSv.y-1. Dose equivalents to the stomach due to 222Rn intake through water consumption are estimated to reach values around 20 mSv.y-1.

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An environmental radiological surveillance programme has been in progress around the most significant Portuguese uranium mines, from 1976 to 1983. A short description is given of the mines of Urgeirica (including uranium milling), Freixiosa, Pinhal de Souto and Bica. The results of the surveillance programme developed in the vicinity of these facilities are presented and the identified critical pathways are discussed. One of these pathways is the consumption of cabbage, which is an important component in the diet of the Portuguese population. The exposure of the critical groups, due to the intake of 226Ra through the diet, calculated from the results of this monitoring programme, range from 0.02 to 1.5 mSv.y-1, for the different mines under study.