226Ra and 222Rn concentrations and doses in bottled waters in Spain

Concentrations of Ra-226 and Rn-222 have been analysed in most of the bottled waters commercially available in Spain. Concentrations up to about 600 mBq l(-1) with a geometric mean of 12 mBq l(-1) were observed for Ra-226. For Rn-222, a geometric mean of 1.2 Bq l(-1) with values ranging from 0.22 to 52 Bq l(-1) were measured. These values are compared with concentrations reported for other countries. An explanation for the different concentrations of Ra-226 and Rn-222 in bottled water related to the geological composition of the source is suggested. Doses resulting from the consumption of these waters were calculated. The effective dose equivalents due to the intake of Ra-226 present in these waters are expected to range from about 2 to 102 mu Sv year(-1). Dose equivalents to the stomach due to Rn-222 intake through water consumption are estimated to reach values of around 30 mu Sv year(-1). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.