Sains Malaysiana 40(12)(2011): 1355–1358

Determination of Radiation Hazard Arising from the ⁴⁰K Content of Bottled Mineral Water in Malaysia

(Penentuan Sebarang Bahaya Sinaran yang Timbul daripada Kandungan ⁴⁰K dalam Air Mineral Botol di Malaysia)

S.B. Samat*

School of Applied Physics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,

Selangor D.E. Malaysia

C.J. Evans

Department of Physics,mSwansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK

Received: 9 August 2010 / Accepted: 6 October 2010

ABSTRACT

Eleven different brands of mineral water available in Malaysia were assessed in comparison with two criteria for ingested radiation dose. It is concluded that mineral water can only contribute a very small fraction of the typical daily intake of potassium, and that the radiation dose acquired from any of the brands can never exceed a small fraction of the recommended limits.

Keywords: Malaysia; mineral water; potassium–40

ABSTRAK

Sebelas jenama air mineral yang terdapat di Malaysia dinilai, secara perbandingan dengan dua kriteria untuk dos sinaran pemakanan. Disimpulkan air mineral hanya boleh menyumbang pecahan yang sangat kecil daripada kaliam harian biasa yang diambil oleh badan, dan dos sinaran yang diperolehi daripada mana-mana jenama tidak akan melebihi satu pecahan kecil had yang disyorkan.

Kata kunci: Air mineral; kaliam-40; Malaysia

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*Corresponding author; email: sbsamat@ukm.my