The determination of natural radioactivity levels of spas located in the Middle and East Regions of Blacksea coast, Anatolia

In this study, natural radioactivity levels in the therapeutic spas located in the Middle and East Karadeniz regions were analyzed in view of human health. For this purpose, radioactivity levels in air, water, and soil surrounding the spas located in the Middle and East Karadeniz region were measured; annual effective dose equivalent was calculated; radiation dose people were exposed to due to the spas was calculated ? including natural radiation which people are constantly exposed to and compared to international limit values. Within the scope of the study, the measurements of effective radon gas in air, water, and surrounding soil for the spas were systematically performed using the detector, AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO. Beside this, the indoor radon gas measurements in the spas were quarterly performed with CR-39 passive detectors (seasonal average value), and the results were compared to that of by AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO effective detectors. On the other hand, natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations in soil and water samples were measured using HPGe gamma spectrometer. Gross alpha and beta activities in thermal water were measured and the water was chemically analyzed. Considering the chemical analysis results, Piper diagrams were made so as to classify the water. In addition, the measurements of gamma dose absorbed in the spas were carried out using NaI detectors (INSPECTOR 1000), portable environmental measuring device. Equivalent doses by the gamma-irradiation dose rates obtained from the measurements were calculated and the results were discussed in terms of radiation safety. In the light of the findings obtained and the measurements carried out, annual effective dose equivalents for spa staff and patients visiting the spa were compared to national and international standards. As a result of the comparison, it was determined that the calculated values for Ayder, Havza, and Ladik spas were under the limiting values while the values for Ilıcaköy spa were around the limiting values for the staff but these values were under the limiting values for visitors and patients.