title: Radioactivity of peat mud used in therapy.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the contents of natural and artificial isotopes in peat mud and to estimate the radiation dose absorbed via skin in patients during standard peat mud treatment. The analysis included 37 samples collected from 8 spas in Poland. The measurements of isotope concentration activity were conducted with the use of gamma spectrometry methods. The skin dose in a standard peat mud bath therapy is approximately 300 nSv. The effective dose of such therapy is considered to be 22 nSv. The doses absorbed during peat mud therapy are 5 orders of magnitude lower than effective annual dose absorbed from the natural radiation background by a statistical Pole (3.5 mSv). Neither therapeutic nor harmful effect is probable in case of such a small dose of ionising radiation.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Biophysics, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: karpm@umb.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karpińska
authors.affiliation: The Stanislaw Deresz Independent Psychiatric Healthcare Facility in Choroszcz, The Department of Neurology, The Physiotherapy and Remedial Improvement Unit, Plac Brodowicza 1, 16-070 Choroszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Krystian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mnich
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Biophysics, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kapała
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Biophysics, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bielawska
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Biophysics, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kulesza
authors.affiliation: The State Higher School of Computer Science and Business Administration in Lomza, ul. Akademicka 14, 18-400 Łomża, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mnich
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009094:Mud Therapy; D011044:Poland; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011851:Radioactivity; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Effective dose; Peat mud; Radioactivity