Natural radionuclides in Italian diet and their annual intake

Assessment of natural radionuclides in powder milk imported to Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

In this study, the activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, and ²²⁶Ra radionuclides were estimated in imported milk powder samples from 40 brands available in local markets in Erbil Governorate, Iraq. The measurements were performed using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The results indicated that the average activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, and ²²⁶Ra were 241, 0.476, and 1.23 Bq kg^-1, respectively, and comparisons were made based on the typical consumption characteristics of powdered milk by Kurdistan residents. In all investigated age groups (2-17 years), the average annual effective doses were below the ICRP-recommended limit of 1 mSv y^-1 for public exposure. Radiological hazard parameters were determined based on the measured radioactivity concentrations. The relation between all the determined activities of natural radionuclides and radiological parameters was examined using multivariate statistical analysis techniques such as histograms, descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation analyses. The cancer risk in all samples was lower than the allowable value of (2.5 × 10^-3), while the ingestion dose in two samples was higher than the worldwide acceptable value of (0.29) mSv y^-1.

Radiological health assessment of infant milk in Erbil Governorate, Iraq

In this research, the radioactivity caused by natural radionuclides (⁴⁰ K, ²³²Th, and ²²⁶Ra) was evaluated in infant milk consumed in Erbil, Iraq. The measurements were performed using an HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer. The variation of activity concentrations in milk samples was (99.56-256.9 Bq kg^-1) for ⁴⁰ K, (BDL-0.53 Bq kg^-1) for ²³²Th, and (0.27-5.59 Bq kg^-1) for ²²⁶Ra, as determined by the results. The radiological parameters of E_ing, D_org, and ELCR were calculated and compared to international standards. The correlation between computed radiological hazard parameters and natural radionuclides was analyzed statistically using Pearson's correlation. Overall, the results indicate that infant milk consumption in Erbil is radiologically safe and that consumers of these brands of milk are unlikely to be directly exposed to radiological health risks.

Study of Alpha and Beta Radioactivity of Clay Originating from Radionuclides Belonging to the 238U and 232Th Families: Doses to the Skin of Potters

ABSTRACT

Pottery objects are presently more and more used for decoration in homes and hotels. To assess radiological hazards to potters, 238U, 232Th, 222Rn, and 220Rn radionuclides were analyzed in different clay body samples used for pottery production by means of CR-39 and LR-115 II track detectors. Data obtained were compared to those gotten by means of isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Annual equivalent doses to the skin of potters resulting from the energy loss of alpha-particles emitted by the radionuclides of the 238U and 232Th radioactive families were evaluated. Estimates of the annual equivalent doses to the skin of potters due to the emitted alpha-particles ranged between 6.45 mSy y-1 cm-2 and 17.50 mSy y-1 cm-2 and between 1.87 mSy y-1 cm-2 and 5.33 mSy y-1 cm-2, respectively. Annual equivalent doses received by the skin of potters due to beta-particles (β-) emitted by the radionuclides of the 238U and 232Th series inside the studied clay body samples were determined. Alpha equivalent doses to the skin of potters resulting from the diffusion of 222Rn and 220Rn gases present in the studied clay body samples were calculated. A total maximum annual equivalent dose of 23.0 mSv y-1 cm-2, resulting from the energy loss of alpha and beta minus particles emitted by the radionuclides of the 238U and 232Th series, was found for potters working 8 h d-1(6 d wk-1, 49.28 wk y-1).

BASELINE STUDIES ON RADIONUCLIDE CONCENTRATION IN FOOD MATERIALS AND ESTIMATION OF THE COMMITTED RADIATION DOSE AROUND THE PHOSPHATE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF SOUTH TUNISIA

The activity concentration of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides was determined in different vegetable samples, and foods derived from animal origin, from different locations in the four cities of Southern Tunisia, where large-scale phosphate industries are operating. The aim of the studies was to establish a baseline database on radionuclide concentration in food materials and to evaluate the radiation dose to the general population due to its ingestion through the food chain. The activity concentrations of 40K, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra and 137Cs was determined by gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector, and from the measured activity concentrations, the doses were estimated using the dose coefficients given by the ICRP. The dose due to intake of radionuclides through mineral water was also determined. The total annual effective doses were found to be 2.2, 1.4, and 0.7 mSv y-1 for 1 y, 5-15 y and adult (>17 y) age groups, respectively. Among the radionuclides studied, 210Po was the highest contributor to the total dose, followed by 210Pb.

Radiochemical Characterization of Algae Products Commercialized for Human Consumption

Natural radionuclides and Cs were determined by alpha (U, U, Th,Po,Th, and Th) and gamma spectrometry (Cs, K, Ra, Pb, and Ra via Ac) in 14 dried seaweeds commercialized for human nutrition in Italy. The study was carried out in order to provide information on the concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides. Cesium-137 (Cs) concentrations in all analyzed samples were always <2.0 Bq kg (dry weight), while the naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations were detectable in all the samples and significantly different in the analyzed seaweeds. Potassium-40 (K) showed a mean activity of 894 Bq kg with a range of 14.1-3,256 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Po was 5.1 Bq kg with a range of 1.5-13.6 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Pb was 8.9 Bq kg with a range of 2.9-25.7 Bq kg. The mean of U and Ra activity concentration was 4.7 and 8.4 Bq kg with a range of 0.1-27.7 and 3.2-24.6 Bq kg, respectively. The mean activity concentrations for Th, Th, and Ra were 0.69, 3.0, and 6.6 Bq kg with ranges of 0.05-3.39, 0.24-15.7, and 0.5-35.6 Bq kg, respectively. Radionuclide activity concentrations were within ranges reported in the scientific literature. The committed effective dose due to all the radionuclides analyzed, from ingestion of 1 kg y of seaweeds, accounts for 0.66% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy.