Work

Analysis of tritium levels in drinking water around Korean nuclear power plants and a proposal for radioactivity standards in drinking water

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Many countries have established national guidelines for radionuclides in drinking water based on recommendations from the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the Republic of Korea lacks comprehensive radiological standards for all drinking water sources, only addressing saline groundwater under the Drinking Water Management Act (DWMA). This study aims to enhance radiological standards by analyzing radioactive effluent discharges from Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs), particularly focusing on tritium activity levels and evaluating annual effective doses. From 2015 to 2024, data indicated that tritium made up the majority of radionuclides discharged, with pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) releasing about nine times more tritium than pressurized water reactors (PWRs) in gaseous effluents. These effluents can affect groundwater and surface water, making tritium essential for monitoring drinking water quality near NPPs. The highest tritium concentration found in drinking water near PHWRs was 19.64 Bq/L, corresponding to only 0.258 μSv/y of the public dose, with a dose limit of 1 mSv/y. The study recommends that Korea adopt a guideline level of 7000 Bq/L for tritium in drinking water, in accordance with WHO standards, and suggests revising the DWMA to set specific radiological guidelines.

Source: Nuclear Engineering and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2025.104106

Authors: Na Young Lee, Tae Young Kong

Institution: Chosun University

Language: English

Topic: Radioactivity and Radon Measurements

Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $200