Determination of the activity and the average annual dose of absorbed uranium and polonium in drinking water from Warsaw

Abstract

Uranium and polonium isotopes were measured in tap water and groundwater from the Warsaw area (Poland). The mean values of 210Po, 234U and 238U in surface intakes were 0.12, 3.91 and 2.75 mBq dm−3 and for deep water intakes were 0.25, 0.24 and 0.20 mBq dm−3, respectively. The annual dose absorbed as a result of the consumption of drinking water by a inhabitant was calculated on the basis of measurements of polonium and uranium activity. The calculated value is only a negligible part (approximately 0.02%) of the dose taken from natural sources, which is estimated at 2.4 mSv year−1.