Gross alpha and gross beta particle activity in recycled water for augmentation of drinking water supplies

Abstract

Research Article| May 01 2009 Gross alpha and gross beta particle activity in recycled water for augmentation of drinking water supplies Clemencia Rodriguez; Clemencia Rodriguez 1School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, (M431), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia Tel.: +61 (08) 6488 Fax: +61(08) 6488 1188; E-mail: clemencia.rodriguez@uwa.edu.au Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Brian Devine; Brian Devine 1School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, (M431), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Angus Cook; Angus Cook 1School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, (M431), Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Philip Weinstein; Philip Weinstein 2School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, 4006, Qld, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Paul Van Buynder Paul Van Buynder 3Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Grace Vaughan House, 227 Stubbs Terrace, Shenton Park, 6008, WA, Australia Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2009) 58 (3): 191–202. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2009.058 Article history Received: July 29 2008 Accepted: October 21 2008 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation Clemencia Rodriguez, Brian Devine, Angus Cook, Philip Weinstein, Paul Van Buynder; Gross alpha and gross beta particle activity in recycled water for augmentation of drinking water supplies. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 May 2009; 58 (3): 191–202. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2009.058 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex An assessment of potential health impacts of radioactive compounds in recycled water to augment drinking water supplies was conducted. Gross alpha and gross beta particle activity was selected for the screening of radioactive species. Samples both pre- and post-reverse osmosis treatment of secondary effluent in Perth, Australia were examined in both a full-scale and in a pilot water reclamation plant. Risk quotients (RQs) were estimated by expressing the mean (RQ mean) and the maximum concentration (RQ max) at each sampling point as a function of the recommended Australian screening levels of 0.5 Bq/L. The results indicate that reverse osmosis (RO) is able to reduce the concentration of gross alpha particle activity (average removal of almost 80%) and gross beta particle activity (average removal of 95%) and produce water of high quality. Maximum gross alpha particle activity in the recycled water was 0.023 Bq/L and maximum gross beta (excluding 40K) particle activity was 0.03 Bq/L, which correspond to an RQ max of 0.07 for gross alpha and 0.06 for gross beta particle activity, respectively. No increased human radiological risk is anticipated if recycled water is used to augment drinking water supplies in Perth. Australia, radionuclides, reverse osmosis, water quality, water reuse This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2009 You do not currently have access to this content.