Radium-226 in thermal and mineral springs of Croatia and associated health risks

Results of 226Ra determination in thermal and mineral water springs, mostly spas and health resorts, in the Republic of Croatia are presented. These waters have been used on a large scale for medical and bathing purposes; for therapy, rehabilitation and recreation, while mineral waters from several locations are also used for drinking. The 226Ra content of thermal and mineral waters ranged from 0.07 to 4.40 Bq l−1. In the spas in which waters were used both for bathing and drinking purposes, 226Ra activities in some springs were found to exceed the maximal permissible level of 1 Bq l−1 for drinking water. On the assumption that a drinking cure contains 1 litre of mineral water daily for 1 week, the radium body burden originating from drinking this water would be on average 2.1 times higher than that originated from the consumption of 1 litre per day of tap water over 1 year.