Rn-222 concentrations of water in the Balaton Highland and in the southern part of Hungary, and the assessment of the resulting dose

In this study the Rn-222 concentration of mains water in 120 settlements in Hungary (Southern Hungary, the Balaton Highland region) was measured. The average Rn-222 concentration was 5.56 (0-24.3) Bq l(-1). On the basis of the Rn-222 concentration of mains water inspected in the Southern Great Plain region, it can be stated that the Rn-222 concentration of mains water here is, as an average, half of the Rn-222 concentration of fountains in the same region. This decrease in radon probably happens during the water management and storage of mains drinking water. The Rn-222 concentration of spring-water examined in the region of the Balaton Highland exceeds the average Rn-222 concentration of drinking water (average 27.1 Bq l(-1)). The radiation dose originating from the consumption of mains drinking water in case of adults does not reach the value of 0. 1 mSv year(-1), even as a conservative assessment (11 day(-1) water consumption and 10(-8) Sv Bq(-1) dose conversion factor). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.