Determination of radiological and chemical aspects of packaged drinking waters consumed in Cappadocia region

Water is essential for human life. Therefore, drinking water must be safe and quality enough to be consumed by humans. Recently, the consumption of packaged or bottled drinking water is increasing because the lack of safe and accessible drinking water frequently faced in developing countries. In this study, the quality of 19 brands of commercially available bottled drinking water samples consumed in Nevşehir province located in Cappadocia region were assessed for suitability for human consumption. Analyses related to water quality contain the quantitative determination of radioactivity of gross alpha (α), gross beta (β) and trace elements which most of them are heavy metals. The radioactivity concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta of bottled drinking water samples were determined by using a gas proportional α/β counter. The average radioactivity concentration of the gross alpha and gross beta were found as 21 ± 5 mBq/L and 59 ± 12 mBq/L, respectively. The quantitative analysis of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Ni), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in bottled drinking water samples were performed by using an inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Al, As, Ag, Cu, Se and Sb in all bottled drinking water samples were found to be below the detection limit. The average concentration of Mg, Sr, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd and Mn were measured as 2898.95 µg/L, 62.89 µg/L, 3.35 µg/L, 3.08 µg/L, 2.03 µg/L, 1.97 µg/L, 1.89 µg/L, 1.70 µg/L, 1.69 µg/L, 1.23 µg/L and 1.03 µg/L, respectively. The experimental results reveal that all radiological and chemical values measured in bottled drinking water samples, except for mercury, are lower than the limit values set by national regulations and World Health Organization (WHO). The average level of mercury measured in bottled drinking water samples is 2 - 20 times higher than the limit values set by national regulations. The average annual effective radiation dose caused by internal exposure from ionizing radiations emitted from radionuclides in consumed bottled drinking water samples was estimated for infants, children, and adults as 9, 13, and 25µSv/y, respectively. These dose values are significantly lower than individual dose criterion of 100 µSv/y recommended by the national regulations and the WHO.