Radioactivity in drinking water supplies in Western Australia

Abstract

Radiochemical analysis was carried out on 52 drinking water samples taken from public outlets in the southwest of Western Australia. All samples were analysed for and Pb-210. Twenty five of the samples were also analysed for Po-210, and 23 were analysed for U-234 and U-238. Ra-228 was found in 45 samples and the activity ranged from <4.000 to 296.1 mBq L −1 . Ra-226 was detected in all 52 samples and the activity ranged from 3.200 to 151.1 mBq L −1 . Po-210 was detected in 24 samples and the activity ranged from 0.000 to 114.2 mBq L −1 . These data were used to compute the annual radiation dose that persons of different age groups and also for pregnant and lactating females would receive from drinking this water. The estimated doses ranged from 0.001 to 2.375 mSv y −1 with a mean annual dose of 0.167 mSv y −1 . The main contributing radionuclides to the annual dose were Ra-228, Po-210 and Ra-226. Of the 52 drinking water samples tested, 94% complied with the current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, while 10% complied with the World Health Organization's radiological guidelines which many other countries use. It is likely that these results provide an overestimate of the compliance, due to limitations, in the sampling technique and resource constraints on the analysis. Because of the increasing reliance of the Western Australian community on groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes, it is likely that the radiological content of the drinking water will increase in the future. Therefore there is a need for further monitoring and analysis in order to identify problem areas.

Assessment of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Concentration in Selected Mineral Waters Available on the Polish Market

“…In Turkey and Hungary, according to the regulations in force, there are limit values for alpha and beta radiation, respectively: 0.1 Bq/L and 1 Bq/L [39,40]. In Australia, the total effective dose of radionuclides (without 40 K potassium) in drinking water should not be greater than 1 mSv/a [41,42]. Artificial radionuclides are found mainly in surface waters.…”

Characterization of an array of gas-flow proportional counters for determination of gross alpha and gross beta in drinking water

“…The overall dose to the general population in Israel originating from natural sources of ionizing radiation was found to be 2 mSv/y, of which 0.01 mSv/y is attributed to the consumption of water [1]. On the other hand, daily consumption of water with relatively high activity concentrations may lead to a substantial contribution to the internal exposure [2].…”

Health Risk of Polonium 210 Ingestion via Drinking Water: An Experience of Malaysia

“…Moreover, Po-210 is considered as one of the primary sources of alpha exposure [ 5 ] to human beings through ingestion via drinking water [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Alam and Mohamed [ 5 ] also reported Po-210 is about 250,000 times more toxic than hydrogen cyanide; therefore, it could be carcinogenic if ingested through drinking water [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”