JOURNAL of the Tunisian Chemical Society

In Tunisia, 22 out of 60 registered thermomineral springs are being used either for therapeutic purposes or commercial waters. This study identifies and quantifies natural radioelements in thermal and mineral waters in Tunisia, using analytical methods which include γ-ray spectrometry, α-particle spectrometry and ²²⁶Ra by the emanation method, Radioactivity is essentially due to potassium, radium, uranium and thorium. The results show that the activities of these waters are lower than the maximum concentrations allowed by the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) for drinking water, and seem to satisfy the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Consumption of these waters does not represent any hazard to public health.

S. Labidi, M. Dachraoui, H. Mahjoubi, N. Lemaitre, N. Chahed, S. Mtimet

Radioactivity, mineral water, thermal water, radioisotopes

Pages 1337-1343