Estimation of radiation doses to members of the public in Italy from intakes of some important naturally occurring radionuclides (238U, 234U, 235U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra and (210)Po) in drinking water.

The radiological quality in some samples of drinking water collected in Italy has been evaluated in the paper. As far as the measured alpha or beta radionuclides are concerned, the doses for all the analysed samples of drinking water are in the range of 1.80-36.2microSvyr(-1), all being well below the reference level of the committed effective dose (100microSvyr(-1)) recommended by the WHO. As far as each measured alpha or beta radionuclide is concerned, the dose contributions for most of the analysed water samples are in this order: 210Po228Ra>226Ra>234U238U>224Ra>235U, and (210)Po and (228)Ra can yield a significant contribution to the doses from the analysed drinking water samples. As far as the elements are concerned, the dose contributions are 48.0+/-27.9% from radium, 31.7+/-23.1% from polonium, and 20.3+/-14.1% from uranium. The water samples, No. 2, 7, 13, and 15, can lead to a dose of >10microSvyr(-1), mainly due to the dose contribution from (210)Po and 228Ra, especially water samples No. 2 and 13. The obtained data can provide basic information for consumers and competent authorities regarding the internal exposure risk due to drinking water intake, and can possibly serve as a comparison when evaluating the dose contribution from artificial radionuclides released to the environment as a result of any human practices and accidents in the studied area.