A New Methodological Approach for the Assessment of the 238U Content in Drinking Water

The radiological quality of drinking water is directly associated with the health population. Indeed, it well known that presence radionuclides in constitutes a risk for humans because consumption such increases likelihood incurring cancer. For this reason, all studies aimed at developing new methodologies qualitative and quantitative analysis radioisotopic composition are absolutely desired by international scientific community, as institutes deal protection public health. In paper, methodological approach was developed evaluation 238U content water. A sample coming from Paola, Calabria region, southern Italy, taken case study. assessment performed using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry, aim quantifying specific activity 234mPa radioisotope after preconcentration procedure, thus to assess concentration 238U, hypothesis secular radioactive equilibrium between its daughter. obtained results were validated through comparison (µg/L) measured Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).