RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS IN MINERAL WATER

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2012-09-05 16:52

I have been researching the ingredients in an imported mineral water and came upon a section of the water's analysis titled "Radiological Contaminants, which are described as "Gross Alpha/ 3 pCi/L and Gross Beta
36 pCi/L". The motivation behind using this Calcium (and other minerals) rich water is to provide minerals for a 6 yr. old child family member who may be genetically predisposed to bone disease Do these numbers sound safe for child/adult consumption?

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Perrier

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2012-09-06 10:37.

Looks like Perrier/Nestle has kept the green bottles and the labels, and switched out the WATER.

http://www.nestlewatersnorthamerica.com/pdf/PR_BWQR.pdf
Page 17

Previously, if memory serves, the radiological contents were MUCH higher.

Perrier® GROSS α particle activity 15.00 (pCu/L)

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2012-09-07 07:42.

Perrier® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, a Nestle product

http://www.nestlewatersnorthamerica.com/pdf/PR_BWQR.pdf
http://www.nestle-watersna.com/pdf/PR_BWQR.pdf

Radiologicals

Gross alpha particle activity 15.00 (pCu/L)
Gross beta 50 (pCu/L)
Radium-226 & Radium-228 Sum 5.00 (pCu/L)
Uranium 0.030 (pCu/L)

These numbers are safe.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2012-09-05 22:00.

These numbers are safe.

All water contains at least a small amount of uranium and thorium from the ground, which give both alpha and beta radioactivity, as well as potassium, which adds beta activity. These are naturally occurring isotopes, and the numbers you cite are reasonable and in line with the typical exposures that we encounter in normal life.

For comparison, maximum allowable levels for public drinking water in California are 15 pCi/L for alpha activity and 50 pCi/L for beta. You should be able to find test results for your local utility as well.

Tim [BRAWM Team Member]

Water Wells Abandoned

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2012-09-08 04:44.

Texas municipal water wells are ABANDONED if they exceed public drinking water MAXIMUM Alpha Limits of 15 pCi/L.

http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/node/4145#comment-8361

Much of the debate, was how to handle the Margin of Error.

Example:

15.004 +/- 0.005
15.000 +/- 0.001
14.996 +/- 0.005

Some Texas public drinking water supplies were once considered a 'Pass' for all of the above. Now, if memory serves, only the bottom measurement is considered a 'Pass'.

The point is, 15 is the ABSOLUTE LIMIT, for Texas Water supplies.

So the Perrier bottled water is 'kinda nasty' for drinking water; but OK to rinse your hair I suppose.