Preliminary survey of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity level and their cancer risk in some foodstuff, Sudan

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to buildup baseline data for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K levels in different food samples and computes their cancer risk (CR).Design/methodology/approachThis report has been performed to buildup baseline data for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K levels in different food samples and computes their CR. 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity levels were measured using ?-ray spectrometry based on high-purity germanium (HPGe).FindingsThe findings exhibited that the annual effective dose (AED) and CR due to 226Ra ingestion in foodstuff samples have shown the trends cereal > vegetable > meat > fruits > sesame. Meanwhile, (AED) and (CR) due to 40K displayed the trends vegetable > cereal > meat > fruits > sesame. Although the average value of radiological dose due to ingestion of some radionuclides slightly exceed the values of some foodstuff around the world. However, the overall average of (AED) for all foodstuff samples (226.6 µSv/y) was found to be far below the world average (AED) (300 µSv/y).Practical implicationsThe main contributor to the AED was 40K 85, 226Ra 9 and 232Th 6%. The computed magnitude values for CR owing to 226Ra, 232Th, 40K (1.3 × 10−5) lower than International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) CR of (2.5 × 10−3) for the general public.Originality/valueThe main contributor to the AED was 40K 85 %, 226Ra 9% and 232Th 6%. The computed magnitude values for CR owing to 226Ra, 232Th, 40K (1.3 × 10−5) lower than ICRP CR of (2.5 × 10−3) for the general public.

Natural Radionuclide (Gamma and Alpha Emitters) in Grain Samples Collected from Kerbala Governorate, Iraq

“…Results showed that the maximum values of alpha emitters (C, C Rn , C Ra , and C U ) was found in sample G19 (rice, Aoun) and the minimum was found in sample G6 (corn, Al-Jadwal Al-Gharbiu). Figure(4) shows histograms for222 Rn in grains samples in present study. There are several reported to demine recommended values of radon gas in air such as ICRP was 300 Bq/m 3[34], U.S.EPA was divided in three value higher levels > 148 Bq/m 3 , low…”

“…The range value of DIthresh and average values (Table 4) in unit (kg/y) were 45.3-157 and 91.22 ± 6.90. Also, from Table (4) the results of ELCR were ranged between 0.049×10 − 3 to 0.716×10 − 3 , with an average value of (0.365 ± 0.03) ×10 − 3 . From these results found ELCR from all grain samples in the present study due to gamma emitters were within world limit that equal 2.5×10 − 3 [4,33].…”

“…Also, from Table (4) the results of ELCR were ranged between 0.049×10 − 3 to 0.716×10 − 3 , with an average value of (0.365 ± 0.03) ×10 − 3 . From these results found ELCR from all grain samples in the present study due to gamma emitters were within world limit that equal 2.5×10 − 3 [4,33]. From the results of natural radioactivity for gamma emitters were found that all grain samples in the present study were safety for human consumption.…”

“…Gamma and alpha emitters are very important nature elements that contribute to a max part of radioactivity dose received by people, with a wide distribution have been discovered classi cation radiation are encountered in earth layers or bodies of water ocean, sea and lakes. It accumulated easily into the chain of food [4]. Natural radioactive decay series such as 238 U and 232 Th as well as singly occurring radionuclides such as 40 K exist in the earth and atmosphere in varied levels.…”