Resumo (PT):
Abstract (EN):
Natural mineral waters used in therapeutic treatments present diverse chemical composition which can
include natural radionuclides, such as radon, increasing the risk of exposure to natural radiation for both workers
and bathers. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the radon concentration in natural mineral waters of
17 Portuguese thermal establishments. The evaluation was carried out between 2013 and 2015 in several places of
each thermal establishment. An analysis of the compliance between the obtained values and the existing legal
requirements for the different parameters concerning radon concentration in water was made. The results showed
the presence of anomalous values both higher than the reference level and the action level. Approximately 50% of the
obtained results are higher than the reference level recommended by the EU, while 20% of the results exceeded the
action level. These results may also imply high concentrations of indoor radon (and hence occupational exposure to
radon), since the natural mineral water will be a continuous source of this radionuclide. The high values obtained in
some cases are worrying and show the need for a more detailed and extensive study, both in space and time.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica
Nº de páginas:
5