Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 238U in detergent powders and their potential radiation hazards

Abstract

Phosphate ore, which may be associated with natural radionuclides, has been used for a long time as a builder in detergents. The daily use and discharge of detergents in wastewater may lead to the accumulation of radionuclides in the environment. Therefore, the current study was carried out to determine the radioactivity levels of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K, and 238 U in 15 samples of detergent powders that are widely used in Saudi Arabia, using gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe). The results showed that these radionuclides were below or similar to the recommended limits, except 238 U in two types of detergent powders. Further, radium equivalent activity (Ra eq), the outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rate (D), and annual effective dose (E) were calculated to assess the radiological hazard effects due to radionuclides in detergent powders. The results indicate that the analyzed samples of detergent powders are safe for consumers and the environment.

Environmental and mineralogical studies on the stream sediments of Baltim–El Burullus coastal plain, North Delta, Egypt

“…Its high efficiency allows fast and precise determinations of 40 K, 238 U, 226 Ra and 232 Th concentrations in rock and soil samples. The results depend on the accuracy of the energy calibration procedure that takes into account the possible interference of each nuclide in each peak region 18 , 19 . The gamma ray spectrometry system consists of a Bicron scintillation detector, NaI (Tl) crystal, 76 × 76 mm, hermetically sealed with a photomultiplier tube in aluminum housing.…”

Assessment of the potential radiation hazards posed by Nubian sandstone, Egypt

“…The MDL for 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K are calculated for each sample by Eq. 1 39 . www.nature.com/scientificreports/ where B is the count of the background below the peak of interest, ε is the absolute value Efficiency, Iγ is the intensity of the gamma rays and t is counted.…”