Radiation doses to individuals due to ^sup 238^U, ^sup 232^Th and ^sup 222^Rn from the immersion in thermal waters and to radon progeny from the inhalation of air inside thermal stations

In Morocco, thermal waters have been used for decades for the treatment of various diseases. To explore the exposure pathway of ^sup 238^U, ^sup 232^Th and ^sup 222^Rn to the skin of bathers from the immersion in thermal waters, these radionuclides were measured inside waters collected from different Moroccan thermal springs, by means of CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs), and corresponding annual committed effective doses to skin were determined. Accordingly, to assess radiation dose due to radon short-lived decay products from the inhalation of air by individuals, concentrations of these radionuclides were measured in indoor air of two thermal stations by evaluating mean critical angles of etching of the CR-39 and LR-115 II SSNTDs. Committed effective doses due to the short-lived radon decay products ^sup 218^Po and ^sup 214^Po by bathers and working personnel inside the thermal stations studied were determined.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]