Analysis of gross radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant from 2016 to 2018 / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the background level of total radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Methods According to the original plan of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, the monitoring of gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in drinking water during dry and rain periods around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, and water samples were collected including source water, factory water, peripheral water and reservoir water. Results A gross of 200 water samples were monitored at 35 sampling sites from 2016 to 2018.The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in the dry period were (0.038 ± 0.033) Bq/L and (0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in the wet period were (0.038 ± 0.024) Bq/L and (0.11 ± 0.03) Bq/L. There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels between the source water and the other water during the dry season (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in different years (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels at different distances from the nuclear power plant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The gross α level and gross β level of radioactivity in drinking water around Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant are in line with the standard of drinking water, regular, fixed and continuous monitoring should be carried out, and radionuclide monitoring and radiological investigation should be carried out on this basis.In view of the density of personnel in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in China, nuclear emergency preparedness training should also be strengthened.