Radon Concentration in Mineral and Thermal Waters of Veneto: An Estimate of Ingestion and Inhalation Doses

Estimation of dose rates to humans exposed to elevated natural radioactivity through different pathways in the island of Ikaria, Greece

“…The respective range in Therma was 20-33 nSv h 21 and the respective annual average and maximum values were 0.28 and 0.29 mSv y 21 . In the vicinity of the spring 'immortal water', the dose rate values were in the range of 53-149 nSv h 21 , with an average and maximum dose equivalent of 0.65 and 1.30 mSv y 21 , respectively. Compared with the reported mean and maximum dose equivalent rates for other Greek insular areas (16) of 0.43 and 0.74 mSv y 21 , the equivalent dose rates in Lefkada and immortal water were relatively higher.…”

“…On the basis of the staff studies (3 -7) , among the thermo-mineral springs spread throughout Greece, four of them (named Ikaria, Loutraki, Kamena Vourla and Edipsos) have been studied and are recognised as 'radioactive' due to their elevated concentrations of natural radionuclides. The reported radon concentrations in the wide areas of these springs are .100 Bq l 21 . In all cases the springs bubble up in the littoral zone, in the sub-littoral zone (under the strata through the surface of the bottom to the seawater layer above) and in temperate locations in the inland parts of these areas.…”

“…In comparison with the wide Greek area (0.1-1 mSv y 21 , mean value of 0.49 mSv y 1 ) (12) the dose rates in Ikaria presented higher maxima. Nevertheless, in the international literature maxima .5 mSv y 21 have been reported (15) In the vicinity of the springs, the following were observed: in Lefkada, the range of the calculated dose equivalent rates was 71-360 nSv h 21 , resulting in average and maximum annual values of 1.52 and 3.31 mSv y 21 , respectively. The respective range in Therma was 20-33 nSv h 21 and the respective annual average and maximum values were 0.28 and 0.29 mSv y 21 .…”

“…Nevertheless, in the international literature maxima .5 mSv y 21 have been reported (15) In the vicinity of the springs, the following were observed: in Lefkada, the range of the calculated dose equivalent rates was 71-360 nSv h 21 , resulting in average and maximum annual values of 1.52 and 3.31 mSv y 21 , respectively. The respective range in Therma was 20-33 nSv h 21 and the respective annual average and maximum values were 0.28 and 0.29 mSv y 21 . In the vicinity of the spring 'immortal water', the dose rate values were in the range of 53-149 nSv h 21 , with an average and maximum dose equivalent of 0.65 and 1.30 mSv y 21 , respectively.…”

“…In the vicinity of the spring 'immortal water', the dose rate values were in the range of 53-149 nSv h 21 , with an average and maximum dose equivalent of 0.65 and 1.30 mSv y 21 , respectively. Compared with the reported mean and maximum dose equivalent rates for other Greek insular areas (16) of 0.43 and 0.74 mSv y 21 , the equivalent dose rates in Lefkada and immortal water were relatively higher. On the contrary, in areas around the radioactive springs in Therma the external dose rates were relatively low.…”