Tritium concentrations and consequent doses in bottled natural and mineral waters sold in Turkey and Azerbaijan

Abstract

In this study, tritium levels in commercially sold bottled natural and mineral waters in Turkey and Azerbaijan were determined. Tritium measurements were performed using Liquid Scintillation Counter (PerkinElmer TriCarb 2910 TR). 16 natural and 11 mineral samples from Turkey and 7 natural and 8 mineral samples from Azerbaijan, for a total of 42 commercially sold water samples were analyzed. The Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) value for the method used was found as 1.69 Bq L^-1. In total, 7 of the natural water samples and 8 of the mineral water samples were found to be below the MDA value. The average activity concentrations in natural and mineral water samples were found as 2.23 ± 0.90 Bq L^-1 and 2.51 ± 0.90 Bq L^-1 for Turkey and 2.69 ± 0.91 Bq L^-1 and 2.43 ± 0.89 Bq L^-1 for Azerbaijan, respectively. In addition, annual effective dose rates and lifetime cancer risk values for the water samples were calculated. These radiological parameters were compared with the values recommended by international organizations. The results demonstrated that consumption by humans of the studied waters would not constitute any health risks in terms of tritium.

Keywords: Azerbaijan; Drinking water; Mineral water; Radioactivity; Tritium; Turkey.