Gross beta and alpha activities in the selected commercial freshwater fish species in Vietnam

Human health risk assessment due to consumption of dried fish in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: a baseline report

The current study sought to determine the levels of radioactivity and heavy metal contamination in 22 dried fish samples collected in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The study found that there were substantial heavy metals concentrations for Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, and Cd. The concentration of heavy metal Pb being alarmingly high (32.85 to 42.09 mg/kg), followed by Cd (2.18 mg/kg to 3.51 mg/kg) than the permissible limit of WHO (2.17 mg/kg) for Pb and (0.05 mg/kg) for Cd. In terms of radioactivity, the gross alpha activity in the dried fish samples ranged 6.25 ± 0.12 to 48.21 ± 0.11 Bg/kg with an average of 20.35 Bg/kg and with a gross beta activity from 6.48 ± 0.02 to 479.47 ± 0.65 Bg/kg, for an average of 136.83 Bg/kg. The study found that the internal radiation dose that people receive upon consuming the fish species Sphyraena obtusata, Rachycentron canadum, Lepidocephalichthys thermalis, Synodontidae, Carangoides malabaricus, Sardina pilchardus, Scomberomorus commerson, Sillago sihama, Gerres subfasciatus, and Amblypharyngodon mola is above the ICRP-recommended limit of less than 1 mSv/year. Annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) and total excessive lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) ranged 0.488 µSv year-1 and 0.004 µSv year-1 respectively, the values of AGDE being higher than the global average value. The findings of the study indicate that the analyzed dried fish samples are contaminated with Pb and Cd, which shall pose cancer risk to the consumers as a result.

Investigating radiation profiles and conducting risk assessment for ecological and environmental components on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, India

Natural radioactive concentration assessment was conducted on sediment, water, and biota obtained on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, Tamil Nadu, India. For biotic and abiotic components, radiation profiles such as gross alpha, beta, primordial radionuclide, polonium, and lead analyses were performed. The gross α and β range from BDL to 15.18 ± 1.7 Bq/kg and 40.43 ± 4.9 Bq/kg to 105.12 ± 11.7 Bq/kg, respectively. Primordial radionuclides were analyzed using Nal(TI)-based scintillator with PC-MCA, and the concentrations ranged from 13.43 ± 3.3 Bq/kg to 30.97 ± 9.6 Bq/kg with a mean of 21.31 ± 2.7 Bq/kg for 238U; for 232Th, the values ranged from 11.09 ± 2.6 Bq/kg to 33.55 ± 9.5 Bq/kg with an average value of 23.89 ± 3.7 Bq/kg; and for 40 K, the values are 93.33 ± 27.3 Bq/kg to 219.91 ± 39.6 Bq/kg with an average value of 148.27 ± 21.7 Bq/kg. The present study values are lesser than the world average values. 210Po and 210Pb concentrations with an average value were determined to be 33.13 Bq/L and 16.56 Bq/L, 47.55 Bq/L and 22.37 Bq/L in the water sample, and 50.437 Bq kg1 and 62.012 Bq kg1, 46.99 Bq/kg and 58.625 Bq/kg in sediments of Vaan island and Koswari island. The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb of Pogonias cromis were 19.27 ± 1.5 Bq/kg and 8.27 ± 1.01 Bq/kg, Belonidae 28.54 ± 2.4 Bq/kg and 18.32 ± 2.3 Bq/kg, Lepisosteidae 18.68 ± 1.4 Bq/kg and 11.17 ± 1.8 Bq/kg. The committed effective dosage was determined to be 35.74-54.61 µSv/y for 210Po and 25.39-56.25 µSv/y for 210Pb, in which the 210Pb value is lower; however, the 210Po value is higher than the global average value. The annual committed effective dosage as well as the radiological hazard indices were assessed and found to be much below the global average and the recommended limit, respectively. This research provides an extensive analysis of natural background radiation and establishes a baseline report on the radiological profile of biotic and abiotic factors in the Tuticorin group of islands, namely Vaan and Koswari, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Factors Contributing to Accumulation of 210Po in Freshwater Fishes in Dong Thai Lake, Vietnam and Radiological Hazard Assessment

210Po (polonium), one of the most toxic naturally occurring radionuclides, is well-known as a common natural radionuclide in fish species. Human consumption of 210Po-contaminated fish could result in a significant internal dose. This study determined by alpha spectrometry the 210Po activity in sixteen selected fish species with different living behaviors (pelagic, demersal), trophic positions (herbivores, carnivores, omnivorous), and masses in Dong Thai Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam. The min, max, and average of the 210Po concentration of sixteen fish species were 0.80 ± 0.44, 12.7 ± 0.20, and 3.54 ± 0.31 Bq kg-1, respectively. Regarding the different living behaviors, trophic positions, and masses, the results showed trending of 210Popelagic > 210Podemersal; 210Poherbivores < 210Pocarnivores < 210Poomnivorous and 210Po<0.2 kg > 210Po0.2-1 kg > 210Po>1 kg, respectively. The 210Po concentrations in muscle tissue were greater in fish species with a small mass, omnivorous trophic position, and pelagic living behavior relative to demersal fish with a larger mass that were herbivores or carnivores. In addition, the results showed an uneven distribution of 210Po activities in atmospheric aerosols, terrestrial soils, surface waters, and lake sediments in the study area. The primary source of 210Po could be supplied from atmospheric aerosols and/or terrestrial soils in the study area. The 210Po annual effective dose for adults due to fish consumption has been calculated with a range from 20 to 400 µSv y-1 and 111 µSv. y-1 on average, and it is far below the allowable limits of 1000 µSv y-1.