The Content of 210Po in Drinking Water in Beijing and Estimation of Internal Dose for Residents

In this study, the content of ²¹⁰ Po in drinking water in Beijing was determined by isotope ²⁰⁹ Po tracer method and the internal dose of residents caused by ²¹⁰ Po was estimated. The results showed that the activity concentrations of ²¹⁰ Po in drinking water in Beijing ranged from 0.237 mBq/L to 6.09 mBq/L. For residents in Beijing, it is estimated that the annual intake of ²¹⁰ Po through drinking water is 0.17 Bq to 4.45 Bq, and the internal dose is 0.21 to 5.34 μSv. Moreover, these measured doses in these drinking water did not exceed the annual intake guidance level of ²¹⁰ Po stipulated by the World Health Organization. The study also compared the activity concentration of 210Po in drinking water or water sources in different countries and regions. This study provides fundamental data for the establishment of the guidance level of radionuclides in drinking water in China, and estimates the internal dose caused by ²¹⁰ Po in drinking water in Beijing.