Evaluation of the Lifetime Cancer Risk Due to Natural Radioactivity in Tap Water Consumed in Nevşehir Province, Turkey

Abstract

Ionizing radiations (α-, β- and γ- rays) emitted from radionuclides in waters can produce detrimental biological effects for human health. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) relates to the probability of developing cancer over a life-time at a given annual exposure dose rate. In this study, the excess lifetime cancer risk was evaluated for adults living in Nevşehir province based on the contents of gross alpha and gross beta in tap water samples collected from various districts in Nevşehir. The values of the excess lifetime cancer risk varied 1.7 x 10-4 to 1.3 x 10-3 with an average of 5.5 x 10-4. Consequently, the ELCR values via tap water consumption were found below the acceptable limit of 10-3 for radiological risk.