Effective doses due to intake of radiotoxic radionuclides 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb through drinking water of coastal Karnataka

The concentrations of 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb have been measured, by high efficiency 5″ × 5″ NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer and chemical deposition method, in surface water samples from major rivers Kali, Sharavathi and Netravathi of coastal Karnataka. Measurements of 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb in surface water from these rivers are important because the river water is main source of potable water in this region due to inadequate supply of treated water. The mean activity of 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb in the surface water of the river Kali was found to be 5.13 mBq L−1, 1.28 and 1.37 Bq L−1, for Sharavathi River the mean activity was found to be 3.37 mBq L−1, 1.30 and 1.44 Bq L−1. In Netravathi River the mean activity of 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb was found to be 3.30 mBq L−1, 1.00 and 1.20 Bq L−1. From the measured concentration of 226Ra, 210Po and 210Pb, the Effective dose to the population of the region was computed. The results of these systematic studies are presented and discussed in the paper.