Evaluation of the Ra-226 activity in public-consumption water in the Huarangal Valley using the radiochemical precipitation method as Ba(Ra)SO4

Five radiochemical methods for Ra-226 determination in public-consumption river waters are developed in this work. Quantification of this radionuclide was conducted through high-resolution gamma spectrometry. These five methods are based on the precipitation of Ra-226 as Ba(Ra)SO4. The second of these methods has been considered the best due to its low cost, high radiochemical performance (83,53%) and lowest standard deviation (7,97). Using the second method (standardized method) it was determined that the activity present in a 32 L sample of water is 0,1526 Bq/L. Assuming that each person in Huarangal Valley consumes an average of 2 liters of water a day, we can estimate that this person consumes 111,398 Bq anally, a very low percentage compared to the limit activity reported in other parts of the world. Physicochemical analysis were also conducted in waters of the Chillon river; the results obtained are within the permissible limits established by the World Health Organization, the Institute of Technological, Industrial and Technical Regulation Research (ITINTEC), and the law for Waters of the Ministry of Agriculture. One can conclude, from the physicochemical analysis that have been conducted, that the waters of the Chillon river are fit for public consumption and do not present specific radio-sanitary risks for people living in the Huarangal valley