Measurement of Radionuclide Concentration in Some Water Resources in Markazi Province, Iran

Introduction Natural and artificial radionuclides are the main sources of human radiation exposure. These radionuclides, which are present in the environment, can be dissolved into water. Evidence suggests that radionuclides being entered the human body through drinking or hot spring water can be harmful for human health. Materials and Methods In this study,10 samples were collected from ground water resources of Arak, one sample from the surface water of Kamal-Saleh Dam, and four samples from the hot springs of Mahallat region. The specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were determined in the samples, using gamma ray spectrometry and a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Results Specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were determined in the water samples. The mean 226Ra activity concentrations in drinking water samples from Aman Abad, Mobarak Abad, and Taramazd wells were 7.65±1.64, 1.56±1.04, and 1.45±1.39 Bq/l, while the corresponding values for 232Th were 2.70±0.18, 0.41±0.16, and 1.27±0.44 Bq/l, respectively. The annual effective dose due to drinking water varied from 0.01 to 0.78 mSv/y. Moreover, the specific activity of 226Ra in the water samples from the orifice of Donbe, Shafa, Soleymani, and Souda hot springs varied from 0.47±0.16 to 1.90±0.21. Conclusion The calculated annual effective dose due to water consumption by Iranians was within the average annual global range. Therefore, based on the present results, radionuclide intake due to water consumption had no consequences for public health; however, it is recommended that hot spring baths use air conditioning devices.