The naturally occurring radioactivity of ‘scalar energy’ pendants and concomitant radiation risk

Hassan, Halmat Jalal; Hashim, Suhairul; Sanusi, M.S.M.; Jamal, Mohamad Hidayat; Hassan, Sitti Asmah; Bradley, D.A.; Garcı́a-Tenorio, R.; Tahar, Razman Mat

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250528

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The bracelets were simulated at the position of the wrist while the necklaces were simulated at the position of the neck, conducted for both male and female phantoms [ 28 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Bracelets and Necklaces: Radiological Risk Evaluation

Hassan

Hashim

Hanifah

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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A particular category of jewelry is one involving bracelets and necklaces that are deliberately made to contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)—purveyors making unsubstantiated claims for health benefits from the release of negative ions. Conversely, within the bounds of the linear no-threshold model, long-term use presents a radiological risk to wearers. Evaluation is conducted herein of the radiological risk arising from wearing these products and gamma-ray spectrometry is used to determine the radioactivity levels and annual effective dose of 15 commercially available bracelets (samples B1 to B15) and five necklaces (samples N16 to N20). Various use scenarios are considered; a Geant4 Monte Carlo (Geant4 MC) simulation is also performed to validate the experimental results. The dose conversion coefficient for external radiation and skin equivalent doses were also evaluated. Among the necklaces, sample N16 showed the greatest levels of radioactivity, at 246 ± 35, 1682 ± 118, and 221 ± 40 Bq, for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. For the bracelets, for 238U and 232Th, sample B15 displayed the greatest level of radioactivity, at 146 ± 21 and 980 ± 71 Bq, respectively. N16 offered the greatest percentage concentrations of U and Th, with means of 0.073 ± 0.0002% and 1.51 ± 0.0015%, respectively, giving rise to an estimated annual effective dose exposure of 1.22 mSv, substantially in excess of the ICRP recommended limit of 1 mSv/year.

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“…The bracelets were simulated at the position of the wrist while the necklaces were simulated at the position of the neck, conducted for both male and female phantoms [ 28 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Bracelets and Necklaces: Radiological Risk Evaluation

Hassan

Hashim

Hanifah

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…with A being the measured activity of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in Bq/product, t is the exposure time due to wearing the undergarment and DCFs represents the dose conversion factors for these radionuclides [29,30].…”

Section: Estimation Of Equivalent Organ Dose and Annual Effective Dos...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This provides for the calculation of the dose rate for any radionuclide, for a given specific activity, and at any distance, with provisions shielding [28]. Dose rates were calculated for radionuclides 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the undergarment, at an close-up distance of 1 mm from the user, as previously mentioned [30].…”

Section: Dose Rate Using Hpc Softwarementioning

confidence: 99%

The Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactivity of Negative Ion Clothing and Attendant Risk

et al. 2021

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The study investigates commercially available negative ion clothing, and evaluations are made using gamma-ray spectroscopy and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations. Observed to contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), evaluations are made of the radiological risk arising from the use of these as items of everyday wear, undergarments in particular. Organ doses from these were simulated using the MIRD5 mathematical female phantom, with the incorporation of dose conversion factors (DCFs). At 175 ± 26, 1732 ± 247, and 207 ± 38 Bq, for 238U, 232Th, and 40K respectively, item code S05 was found to possess the greatest activity, while item code S07 was shown to have the least activity, at 2 ± 0.5 and 15 ± 2 Bq, and again for 238U and 232Th, respectively. Sample code S11 recorded least activity, at 29 ± 5 Bq, for 40K. Among the clothing items, sample item code S05 offered the greatest concentrations of Th, U and Zr, with percentage means of 1.23 ± 0.1, 0.045 ± 0.001, and 1.29 ± 0.1, respectively, giving rise to an annual effective dose of 1.57 mSv/y assuming a nominal wearing period of 24 h per day. Accordingly, the annual public dose limit of 1 mSv can be exceeded by their use.

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Analysis of radioactivity of negative-ion powder and determination of 232Th

et al. 2023

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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The naturally occurring radioactivity of ‘scalar energy’ pendants and concomitant radiation risk

Cited by 5 publications

References 12 publications

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Bracelets and Necklaces: Radiological Risk Evaluation

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Bracelets and Necklaces: Radiological Risk Evaluation

The Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactivity of Negative Ion Clothing and Attendant Risk

Analysis of radioactivity of negative-ion powder and determination of 232Th

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