Gross alpha radioactivity of drinking water in Venezuela

Bottled mineral water is consumed by a large population in Venezuela. The alpha emitters concentration was measured in samples of bottled water and water springs collected near the surface. Approximately 30% of the total mineral water suppliers was monitored. A database on natural and artificial radioactivity in drinking water was produced. Results indicate that 54% of the waters sampled contain a total alpha radioactivity of less than 0.185 Bq l−1 and only 12% above 0.37 Bq l−1. Our results revealed a total annual dose of 2.3 mSv year−1.