Speakers
Description
Radioactivity levels in peloids from some Cuban spas (San Diego, Elguea, Santa Lucía and Cajío) have been studied. The radionuclide concentration (in Bq.kg-1 dry weight) varied as follows: $^{226}$Ra = 6 – 1800, $^{137}$Cs = <2 – 5, $^{232}$Th = 6 – 38 and $^{40}$K = 47 – 365, being comparable to concentrations reported for therapeutic peloids used worldwide. Considering the short exposition times associated with the usual therapeutic practices in Cuban spas, the estimated annual equivalent dose in $^{226}$Ra-enriched peloids is well below the accepted equivalent dose values for the skin of peloids-based treatment users. Therefore, radioactivity levels present in peloids from the studied Cuban spas do not represent an impediment for its use with therapeutic purposes.