RADIOACTIVITY OF MINERAL AND SPRING WATERS FROM BULGARIA

Abstract

Radiological analysis of mineral waters sampled from springs in the region of Sofia and Velingrad spa resort, and of bottled mineral, spring and table waters from other regions in Bulgaria was carried out as part of the overall monitoring of drinking waters in the country. Content of natural uranium was from 0.003±0.001 to 0.023±0.005 mg/l, gross alpha activity from ≤0.01 to 0.50±0.05 Bq/l and beta activity from ≤ 0.02 to 0.30±0.06 Bq/l. Concentration of indicators in all studied waters met the requirements, provided for in the Regulation for mineral, spring and bottled waters in Bulgaria (U ≤ 0.06 mg/l; gross alpha activity ≤ 0.5 Bq/l; gross beta activity ≤ 1 Bq/l). However alpha activity higher than 0.1 Bq/l, specified in the Regulation for drinking waters, was determined in the mineral water from Ovcha Kupel in Sofia (0.34 Bq/l) and in the bottled mineral water from Devin in the Rhodopes (0.49 Bq/l). Both water samples were further tested for Po-210. Content of Po-210 was under the derived concentration of 0.1 Bq/l laid down in the Regulation on drinking waters. In result of analyses carried out it was concluded the studied waters were not hazardous for human consumption in terms of radiology.