Radon activity assessment of thermal water in Spas of Kosovo by using different methods

Abstract

Background: Exposure to radon and radon decay products at home and at workplaces constitutes one of the greatest and perhaps the greatest risk from ionizing radiation. In this study, radon activity concentrations were measured in thermal water, spring water, in the water of baths/pools, and indoor air of five spas in Kosovo. Materials and Methods: Different comparison active methods were used and also the long-term measurements were performed. Results: The radon activity concentrations were found to be 23 Bq l-1 to 314 Bq l-1 in water coming from a thermal source, 13 Bq l-1 to 270 Bq l-1 in water of baths, 25 Bq l-1 to 108 Bq l-1, in water of pools and 16 Bq l-1 to 67 Bq l-1 in taps water. The indoor radon concentrations and soil gas measurements near the thermal spas has range from 24 Bq m-3 to 506 Bq m-3 respectively from 4978 Bq m-3 to 67249 Bq m-3. Conclusions: The indoor air radon concentrations in workrooms, baths, and pools only in one case exceeded 500 Bq m-3. The reason of high indoor radon concentration could have been the location of this room, located near the baths and pool of spa. The maximum radon activity concentration in taps water is the only that did not exceed the limit from 100 Bq l-1.