Natural radioactivity in drinking water in private wells in Finland

Vesterbacka, P; Mäkeläinen, I; Arvela, H

HERO ID

365310

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2005

PMID

15657111

HERO ID 365310
In Press No
Year 2005
Title Natural radioactivity in drinking water in private wells in Finland
Authors Vesterbacka, P; Mäkeläinen, I; Arvela, H
Journal Radiation Protection Dosimetry
Volume 113
Issue 2
Page Numbers 223-232
Abstract Natural radioactivity in drinking water was determined in population-based random study of 472 private wells. The mean concentrations of 222Rn, 226Ra, 234U, 238U, 210Pb and 210Po in drilled wells were 460, 0.05, 0.35, 0.26, 0.04 and 0.05 Bq l-1, and in wells dug in the soil were 50, 0.016, 0.02, 0.015, 0.013 and 0.007 Bq l-1, respectively. Approximately 10% of the drilled wells exceeded a radon concentration of 1000 Bq l-1 and 18% a uranium concentration of 15 µg l-1. The mean annual effective dose from natural radionuclides for a drilled well user was 0.4 mSv and 0.05 mSv for a user of a well dug in the soil. The effective dose arising from 222Rn was 75% of the total of all natural radionuclides for drilled well users. As regards long-lived radionuclides, 210Po and 210Pb caused the largest portion of the effective dose. The dose arising from 238U, 234U and 226Ra was only 8% of the total of all natural radionuclides.
Pmid 15657111
Wosid WOS:000228922900016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000228922900016
Is Public Yes
Keyword aquifers; drinking water; groundwater pollution; lead; polluted water; polonium; public health; radioactivity; radium; radon; uranium; water quality; wells; Finland; Scandinavia; Northern Europe; Europe; Developed Countries; European Union Countries; OECD Countries; water composition and quality; Water Resources (PP200); Pollution and Degradation (PP600); Human Health and the Environment (VV500); Industrial Wastes and Effluents (XX400)
Is Qa No