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Natural and Anthropogenic Radioactivity Content and Radiation Hazard Assessment of Baby Food Consumption in Italy. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12105244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The natural (40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radioactivity concentration in four different typologies of early childhood (up to two years old) foods, i.e., homogenized fruit, homogenized meat, childhood biscuits and baby pasta, produced in Italy and sold in Italian large retailers, was investigated through High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry. The present study is carried out with the aim to: (i) evaluate the background levels of the investigated radionuclides in the analyzed early childhood foods, (ii) identify whether the twenty analyzed samples were appropriate for infant consumption and (iii) contribute to construct a database on the radioactivity of early childhood foods sold in Italy.
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Radioactivity concentration and transfer factors of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K from peat soil to vegetables in Selangor, Malaysia. NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY AND RADIATION PROTECTION 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/ntrp2201057m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in
vegetables and peat soil were investigated to determine the transfer factors
of radionuclides from soil to vegetables obtained from farms in Klang
Selangor. The results showed that the activity concentration ranges for
226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soil of the vegetable were 2.72-46.54 Bqkg-1,
9.01-54.84 Bqkg-1, and 19.22-477.76 Bqkg-1, respectively. The activity
concentration ranges for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in various vegetable samples
were 0.41-3.41 Bqkg-1, 0.02-3.56 Bqkg-1, and 16.22-317.49 Bqkg-1,
respectively. The transfer factors from soil-to-plant for 226Ra, 232Th, and
40K were in the ranges of 0.01-0.67, 0.00-0.17, and 0.26-2.52, respectively.
Radionuclide 40K has the highest transfer factor value in most vegetables,
especially in the fruit type vegetable, and 232Th was found to have the
lowest transfer factor value in all vegetables. The acquired results were
compared to the levels that are globally recognized as acceptable. The
transfer factor value of 40K was greater than 1 found in beans and fruit
type vegetables, showing a similar value in other studies involving tropical
plants, while transfer factor value for 226Ra was 15 times higher than the
value reported in the data for tropical plants.
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Caridi F, Belmusto G. Radiological Risks Assessment Due to Natural Radioactivity in
Mediterranean Sea Fishes. CURRENT NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1573401317666210908163356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives:
A comprehensive study was carried out for the determination
of natural radioactivity in Mediterranean sea fishes and the evaluation of radiological
health risks due to their ingestion. All analyzed samples came from the Calabria region, southern
Italy, and, in particular, from the district of Reggio Calabria.
Method:
A total of seventy representative samples, five for each investigated species (Sardina
Pilchardus, Mugil Cephalus, Scomber Scombrus, Sparus Aurata, Dicentrarchus Labrax, Tonnus
Thynnus, Thunnus Alalunga, Xiphaias Gladius, Pagellus Erythrinnus, Engraulis Encrasicholus,
Belone Belone, Solea Solea, Merluccius Merluccius, Mullus Surmuletus) were analyzed
through HPGe gamma spectrometry. The evaluation of dose levels and lifetime cancer
risks for adult members of the population due to the fishes ingestion was also performed.
Results:
The specific activity of 40K was investigated and its mean value was found to be: (157
± 17) for Sardina Pilchardus, (138 ± 14) for Mugil Cephalus, (118 ± 13) for Scomber
Scombrus, (128 ± 14) for Sparus Aurata, (146 ± 17) for Dicentrarchus Labrax, (93 ± 11) for
Tonnus Thynnus, (137 ± 15) for Thunnus Alalunga, (98 ± 10) for Xiphaias Gladius, (105 ± 12)
for Pagellus Erythrinnus, (132 ± 14) for Engraulis Encrasicholus, (113 ± 12) for Belone Belone,
(34 ± 5) for Solea Solea, (76 ± 9) for Merluccius Merluccius and (96 ± 11) for Mullus
Surmuletus, respectively.
Conclusions:
The committed effective dose and the lifetime cancer risks for adult members of
the population due to the consumption of the investigated samples are lower than the average
world value, the maximum acceptable level and the allowed range, respectively. It can then be
concluded that the Mediterranean sea fishes consumed in the study area pose no significant
health risks to the population from a radiological point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Caridi
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Physics and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale
F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - G. Belmusto
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, Italy (ARPACal),
Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
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4
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Evaluation of the Radiological and Chemical Risk for Public Health from Flour Sample Investigation. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11083646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Flour investigation, in terms of physical and chemical pollutants and mineral content, is of great interest, in view of its high consumption for nutritional purposes. In this study, eleven types of flour (five samples for each one), coming from large retailers and employed by people for different cooking food purposes, were investigated through high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry, in order to estimate natural (40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radioisotope specific activity and thus, to assess the radiological risk due to the flour ingestion. Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively-coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) were also employed to evaluate any possible heavy metal contamination and the mineral composition, and to perform multivariate statistical analysis to deduce the flour authenticity. The evaluation of dose levels due to flour ingestion was performed, for the age category higher than 17 years, taking into account the average yearly consumption in Italy and assuming this need to be satisfied from a single type of flour as a precaution. All obtained results are under the allowable level set by Italian legislation (1 mSv y−1), thus excluding the risk of ionizing radiation effects on humans. As far as heavy metal contamination is concerned, Cd and Pb concentrations turned out to be lower than the threshold values, thus excluding their presence as pollutants. Finally, the multivariate statistical analysis allowed to unambiguously correlate flour samples to their botanical origin, according to their elemental concentrations.
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Alomari AH, Saleh MA, Hashim S, Al-Hada N, Abukashabeh A, Alsayaheen A, Hamad M. Radiological dose and health impact to Jordanian populace due to radioactivity in staple food crops from four representative soils in Jordan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07461-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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6
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Jayasinghe C, Pinnawala UC, Rathnayaka T, Waduge V. Annual committed effective dosage from natural radionuclides by ingestion of local food growing in mineral mining area, Sri Lanka. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:2205-2214. [PMID: 31863322 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00487-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sri Lanka's largest mineral sand deposit occurs in Pulmoddai, and the surrounding area of the mineral sand deposit has been identified as a high natural background radiation area. The food crops grown in the area are used for human consumption. However, the long-term consumption of high radioactive foodstuff may cause health defects. The objective of the present study was to assess the radiological impact on individuals due to ingestion of foodstuffs grown in Pulmoddai area. Seasonal food crops growing in the area, including cereals, vegetables, nuts, fruits and yams were collected and used to prepare common meal plans consumed by the residents. Samples were analyzed with high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer for activity concentrations. Activity concentration of 40K was observed in higher amounts in every food sample. Trace amounts of 137Cs 232Th and 7Be were also identified. The total committed effective dosage to an adult from gamma-emitting radionuclides from cooked meals was 0.1482 mSv year-1, and raw foodstuff was 0.0667 mSv year-1, which are far below than the harmful levels declared by International Atomic Energy Agency. Results concluded that foodstuff and cooked meals consumed by the people who live in Pulmoddai, Sri Lanka, are radiologically safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jayasinghe
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP), Sri Lanka.
| | - U C Pinnawala
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP), Sri Lanka
| | - T Rathnayaka
- Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, Baseline Road, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka
| | - V Waduge
- Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, Baseline Road, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka
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7
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Natural radioactivity measurements of frozen red meat samples consumed in Iraq. RADIATION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s41605-019-0136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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8
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Food Salt Characterization in Terms of Radioactivity and Metals Contamination. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9142882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of food salt is very important because of its high consumption by the population, for both medicinal and nutritional use. In this study, nine different samples of food salt (Cyprus black, Himalayan pink, Hawaii red, iodized, hyposodic iodized, Maldon smoked sea, common sea, Breton sea and Persia blue), coming from large Italian retailers and employed by people for different cooking food purposes, were investigated through High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectrometry in order to evaluate the anthropogenic (137Cs) and natural (40K) radioisotopes activity concentration, and used Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to assess any possible metals contamination by a comparison between Cu, As, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations and the limits set by the Italian Legislation. The evaluation of dose levels due to the salt ingestion for the age category higher than 17 years was performed taking into account the human body daily need of about 10 g of salt, and in the precautionary hypothesis, this need was satisfied from a single type of salt. All obtained results are under allowable levels (1 mSv/year), thus excluding the risk of ionizing radiation effects on humans. Regarding to the metals concentration, experimental results show that it is lower than the contamination threshold values, thus excluding their presence as pollutants.
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9
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Caridi F, Marguccio S, Belvedere A, D`Agostino M, Belmusto G. The Natural Radioactivity in Food: A Comparison Between Different Feeding Regimes. CURRENT NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1874609811666180223155529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
In this article a comprehensive study was carried out for the determination of
natural radioactivity in animal and vegetable food (meat, fish, milk and derivates, legumes, cereals and
derivates, fruit, hortalizas, vegetables, vegetable oils) typical of different feeding regimes, for the age
category higher than 17 years.
Methods:
A total of eighty-five samples of Italian origin, coming from large retailers during the years
2014, 2015 and 2016, were analyzed through HPGe gamma spectrometry.
Results:
The specific activity of 40K was investigated and its mean value was found to be: (106.3 ±
6.9) Bq/kg for bovine, swine and sheep meat; (116.5 ± 9.7) Bq/kg for fish; (52.9 ± 3.1) Bq/kg for milk
and derivates; (271.9 ± 16.7) Bq/kg for legumes; (67.2 ± 4.7) Bq/kg for cereals and derivates; (52.7 ±
4.4) Bq/kg for fruit; (72.9 ± 5.6) Bq/kg for hortalizas; (83.9 ± 6.5) Bq/kg for vegetables; lower than
the minimum detectable activity for vegetable oils. For animal food the highest mean 40K activity concentration
was found in fish samples; for vegetable food the highest one was detected in legumes.
Conclusion:
The evaluation of dose levels due to the food ingestion typical of Mediterranean, Vegetarian
and Vegan diets was performed. The annual effective dose was found to be 0.16 mSv/y, 0.41
mSv/y and 0.54 mSv/y, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Caridi
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, (ARPACal), Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Santina Marguccio
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, (ARPACal), Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Alberto Belvedere
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, (ARPACal), Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Maurizio D`Agostino
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, (ARPACal), Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giovanna Belmusto
- Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, (ARPACal), Department of Reggio Calabria, Via Troncovito SNC, 89135 Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Das B, Deb A, Chowdhury S. RADIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SOME COMMON FOODS OF SOUTHERN PART OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 179:169-178. [PMID: 29145617 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An appreciable portion of human exposure to natural radioactivity comes from food and drinking water. Gross alpha radioactivity has been measured in thirty one food items consumed almost every day by the people of southern part of West Bengal, India, by using the solid state nuclear track detector LR-115. The annual effective doses due to intake of alpha-emitting radionuclides through these food items have also been estimated, and the total average annual dose received by an adultthrough ingestion of these foodstuffs calculated, considering the food habit of the people of the region. The total average annual dose is below the 1 mSv y-1 limit proposed by WHO, and over half of this annual dose comes from consumption of cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Das
- Department of Physics and Technophysics, Vidyasagar University, Vidyasagar University, Paschim, Medinipur 721102, India
- School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Argha Deb
- School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Saheli Chowdhury
- School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
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11
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Abojassim AA, Dahir DM, Alaboodi AS, Abonasria AH. Annual Effective Dose of Gamma Emitters in Adults and Children for Some Types of Rice Consumed in Iraq. J Food Prot 2016; 79:2174-2178. [PMID: 28221966 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-16-242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This work studies the activity concentration of natural radioactivity in 20 different types of rice, including imported rice and that produced locally. The rice samples were collected from markets and farms in Iraq, and then a natural radioactivity investigation was done in the environmental laboratory of the Kufa University, using gamma-ray spectrometer systems. The research focused on measuring the activity concentration of natural radioactivity (238U, 232Th, and 40K) to determine the level of the radium equivalent activity, internal hazard indices, and annual effective dose. The results show that all these parameters are within the permissible limits and that radioactivity is present in almost all foodstuffs at levels ranging from 40 to 600 Bq/kg of food. Radioactivity in foodstuffs is attributed to a natural source, potassium-40, and to artificial sources, which include industrial radioactivity, weapons testing, and accidents involving radioactivity. In this article, radionuclides have been identified for most of the common species of rice available in Iraqi markets; in addition, radium equivalent activity, internal hazard indices, and annual effective dose were calculated and compared with the permissible dose to estimate the risk of radioactive isotopes in the rice crop.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dahir Mohammad Dahir
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
| | - Azhar S Alaboodi
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
| | - Abbas H Abonasria
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf 54001, Iraq
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12
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Mitrović B, Ajtić J, Lazić M, Andrić V, Krstić N, Vranješ B, Vićentijević M. Natural and anthropogenic radioactivity in the environment of Kopaonik mountain, Serbia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 215:273-279. [PMID: 27213569 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the state of the environment in Kopaonik, a mountain in Serbia, the activity concentrations of (4) K, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (137)Cs in five different types of environmental samples are determined by gamma ray spectrometry, and radiological hazard due to terrestrial radionuclides is calculated. The mean activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in the soil are higher than the global average. However, with an exception of two sampling locations, the external radiation hazard index is below one, implying an insignificant radiation hazard. Apart from (40)K, content of the natural radionuclides is predominantly below minimum detectable activities in grass and cow milk, but not in mosses. Although (137)Cs is present in the soil, grass, mosses and herbal plants, its specific activity in cow milk is below minimum detectable activity. Amongst the investigated herbal plants, Vaccinium myrtillus L. shows accumulating properties, as a high content of (137)Cs is detected therein. Therefore, moderation is advised in consuming Vaccinium myrtillus L. tea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislava Mitrović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jelena Ajtić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Lazić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Velibor Andrić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Krstić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Borjana Vranješ
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mihajlo Vićentijević
- Science Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Serbia, Vojvode Toze 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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13
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Assessment of ingestion dose due to radioactivity in selected food matrices and water near Vizag, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3097-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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14
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Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Gholami M, Setayandeh S. A review on natural background radiation. Adv Biomed Res 2013; 2:65. [PMID: 24223380 PMCID: PMC3814895 DOI: 10.4103/2277-9175.115821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The world is naturally radioactive and approximately 82% of human-absorbed radiation doses, which are out of control, arise from natural sources such as cosmic, terrestrial, and exposure from inhalation or intake radiation sources. In recent years, several international studies have been carried out, which have reported different values regarding the effect of background radiation on human health. Gamma radiation emitted from natural sources (background radiation) is largely due to primordial radionuclides, mainly 232Th and 238U series, and their decay products, as well as 40K, which exist at trace levels in the earth's crust. Their concentrations in soil, sands, and rocks depend on the local geology of each region in the world. Naturally occurring radioactive materials generally contain terrestrial-origin radionuclides, left over since the creation of the earth. In addition, the existence of some springs and quarries increases the dose rate of background radiation in some regions that are known as high level background radiation regions. The type of building materials used in houses can also affect the dose rate of background radiations. The present review article was carried out to consider all of the natural radiations, including cosmic, terrestrial, and food radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryoush Shahbazi-Gahrouei
- Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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15
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Shanthi G, Thanka Kumaran JT, Gnana Raj GA, Maniyan CG. Transfer factor of the radionuclides in food crops from high-background radiation area of south west India. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 149:327-332. [PMID: 21680604 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
It is necessary to obtain the transfer factor (TF) of long-lived radionuclides because soil type and vegetation can affect TF. We studied the food crops commonly consumed by the general public of Kanyakumari district of south India. The main focus was on rice, fruits, vegetables and tapioca because the consumption of these is high. The soil to rice TF for the radionuclides, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (238)U and (40) K are 8.8×10(-2), 14.2×10(-2), 5.8×10(-2) and 6.3×10(-2), respectively. The TF of tapioca for (226)Ra, (232)Th, (238)U and (40) K are 6.2×10(-2) , 11×10(-2), 1.9×10(-2) and 8.9×10(-2), respectively. For fruits and vegetables, the TFs are low. In the majority of the crops the non-edible parts accumulate more radionuclides than the edible parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Shanthi
- Department of Physics, Women's Christian College, Nagercoil 629001, India.
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16
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Jibiri NN, Okusanya AA. Radionuclide contents in food products from domestic and imported sources in Nigeria. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2008; 28:405-413. [PMID: 18714136 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/28/3/n02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Samples of some domestic and imported food products of nutritive importance to both the child population and the adult population in Nigeria were collected and analysed in order to determine their radionuclide contents. The samples were collected from open markets in major commercial cities in the country. Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed in the determination of the radionuclide contents in the products. The gamma-ray peaks observed with reliable regularity in all the samples analysed belong to naturally occurring radionuclides, namely (226)Ra, (228)Th and (40)K. The activity concentrations of these radionuclides in both the domestic and imported products were observed to be not significantly different. Essentially radioactive elements such as (137)Cs were not detected in any of the samples. The non-detection of (137)Cs in the imported products may be attributed to the suitably modified agricultural practices and countermeasures being employed to reduce caesium uptake by plants after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident. It seems unlikely that the elemental concentrations in the food products analysed will contribute significantly to public health risks in the country, as the cumulative ingestion effective dose values from (226)Ra and (228)Th were found to be low. Although (40)K has the highest activity concentrations in all the samples analysed, it is usually under homeostatic control in the body, and hence the concentrations are irrelevant to possible contamination in the food products analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Jibiri
- Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
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18
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Jibiri NN, Farai IP, Alausa SK. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Th, and 40K in different food crops from a high background radiation area in Bitsichi, Jos Plateau, Nigeria. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2007; 46:53-9. [PMID: 17211656 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-006-0085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2006] [Accepted: 12/09/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the three goals of the United Nations for sustainable food security is to ensure that all people have access to sufficient, nutritionally adequate, and safe food. Decades of tin mining in the Bitsichi area of the Jos Plateau, Nigeria, have left a legacy of polluted water supplies, impoverished agricultural land, and soil containing abnormally high levels of naturally occurring radioactive elements. In order to ascertain the radiological food safety of the population, different crops that constitute the major food nutritive requirements were collected directly across farmlands in the area. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (228)Th, and (40)K were determined in the food and soil samples using gamma-ray spectrometry. Additionally, in situ gamma dose rate measurements were performed on the farms using a pre-calibrated survey meter. The corresponding activity concentrations in the food crops ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 684.5 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K, from BDL to 83.5 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, and from BDL to 89.8 Bq kg(-1) for (228)Th. Activity concentrations of these radionuclides were found to be lower in cereals than in tubers and vegetables. As for the soil samples, activity concentrations of these radionuclides varied from BDL to 166.4 Bq kg(-1), from 10.9 to 470.6 Bq kg(-1), and from 122.7 to 2,189.5 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K, (226)Ra, and (228)Th, respectively. Average external gamma dose rates were found to vary across the farms from 0.50 +/- 0.01 to 1.47 +/- 0.04 microSv h(-1). Due to past mining activities, the soil radioactivity in the area has been modified and the concentration level of the investigated natural radionuclides in the food crops has also been enhanced. However, the values obtained suggest that the dose from intake of these radionuclides by the food crops is low and that harmful health effects are not expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Jibiri
- Radiation and Health Physics Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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Papastefanou C, Stoulos S, Ioannidou A, Manolopoulou M. The application of phosphogypsum in agriculture and the radiological impact. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2006; 89:188-98. [PMID: 16806608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2005] [Revised: 05/02/2006] [Accepted: 05/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Radium-226 in phosphogypsum produced in a phosphate industry, SICNG operating at Thessaloniki, Northern Greece since May 1966, varied from 261 to 688 Bq kg(-1) (mean value 508 Bq kg(-1)). This radionuclide in soil tilled with phosphogypsum used for agricultural purposes varied from 50 to 479 Bq kg(-1) (average 205 Bq kg(-1)), while in the regular soil of cultivated fields it varied from 37 to 54 Bq kg(-1) (average 48 Bq kg(-1)). Radium-226 in rice originated from cultivated fields tilled with phosphogypsum or not varied from 0.36 to 1.98 Bq kg(-1) (average 1.53 Bq kg(-1)) with the higher values observed in samples originated from cultivated fields tilled with phosphogypsum. Radium-226 transfer factors, TF, from soil tilled with phosphogypsum to plants for the case of rice varied from 6.5 x 10(-3) to 2.0 x 10(-2) (geometric mean: 1.1 x 10(-2)). A mean (226)Ra content in rice 1.53 Bq kg(-1) results in a daily intake of (226)Ra by humans in Greece 0.0084 Bq day(-1) leading to an annual effective dose for adults 0.86 microSv y(-1) which is much less in contributing to the average exposure to natural radiation sources (2.4 mSv y(-1)) and particularly to the part due to ingestion (0.29 mSv y(-1)). It is necessary to continuously control (monitoring) (226)Ra in phosphogypsum before any use for agricultural purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Papastefanou
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece.
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