| Abstrakt: |
This study was carried out to measure the radioactivity of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K) in tap water (drinking water) of 18 houses in Chamchamal town, Kurdistan Iraqi region by using the gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe detector). The concentrations of 226Ra in drinking water sample varied from 42.335 Bq·L−1 in TW3 to 102.209 Bq·L−1 in TW13 with an average of 75.675 Bq·L−1; the concentrations of 232Th varied from 35.895 Bq·L−1 in TW3 to 96.269 Bq·L−1 in TW13 with an average of 68.678 Bq·L−1; and the concentrations of 40 K ranged from 367.885 Bq·L−1 in TW3 to 527.759 Bq·L−1 in TW13 with an average of 447.058 Bq·L−1. Thus, the highest activity concentration ratio was found in TW13 (40 K (74%) > 226Ra (14%) > 232Th (12%)). Nonetheless, the maximum concentration of 226Ra (102.209 Bq·L−1) was relatively lower than the maximal admissible value of 370 Bq·L−1, as suggested by UNSCEAR. The maximum values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), outdoor external dose (Dout), and indoor absorbed dose (Din) rate in the drinking water samples were determined to be 280.511 Bq·L−1, (0.757, 1.033, 127.37) nGyh−1 and 242.14 nGyh−1, respectively. Iγ of gamma and Iα of gamma were measured to be 0.998 and 0.511, respectively. Strong correlation was found between the activity concentrations of Ra-226 and Raeq in the drinking water. Natural radionuclide in drinking water is 0.1 mSv·year−1 established by the WHO. Therefore, drinking water samples in location under study are considered safe from radiological health hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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