Evaluation of the risk of cancer due to natural radioactivity in some grain-based foodstuffs

Abstract

Author(s): Shihab Ahmed Jasim, Shaymaa Awad Kadhim, Baidaa Resen Mardan, Ihab Alfadhel, Murtadha Hussain Hassan and Ahmed Alshewered*

Natural background radiation is the major source of human exposure to radioactive materials. Foodstuffs naturally contain radioactive mineral contents. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of natural radioactivity (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in wheat flour, pasta, rice and corn in the Iraqi market. Na (Tl) detector was used to measure the concentration activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in four type of foodstuff. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 4.498, 7.621 and 223.259 Bq.kg-1(dry weight), respectively, Iα, AUI and Hin were lower than 1 ,Absorbed Dose Rate in air (DR) 15.611 nGy h−1, Annual Gonadal Dose equivalent (AGDE) 111.252 μSv.y−1, Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (Eav.) 0.4560 mSv.y−1 and Excess lifetime cancer risk(ELCR) 1.5961× 10-3 also measured in wheat flour samples. While were found 4.095, 6.877 and 166.059Bq. kg-1(dry weight), respectively, Iα, AUI and Hinwere lower than 1. Absorbed Dose Rate in air (DR) 12.851nGy h−1, Annual Gonadal Dose equivalent (AGDE) 91.419 μSv.y−1, Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (Eav.) 0.1561 mSv.y−1 and Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) 0.5463 × 10-3 in Pasta samples. Also were found 5.364, 3.039and 182.528Bq.kg-1respectively, Iα, AUI and Hinwere lower than 1 ,Absorbed Dose Rate in air (DR) 11.850 nGy h−1,Annual Gonadal Dose equivalent (AGDE) 86.582 μSv.y−1,AnnualEffectiveDoseEquivalent (Eav.) 0.327 mSv.y−1 and Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) 1.143 × 10-3 in Rice samples. Finally were found 0.995, 0.744 and90.184 Bq.kg-1respectively, Iα, AUI and Hin were lower than 1, Absorbed Dose Rate in air (DR) 4.409 nGyh−1, Annual Gonadal Dose equivalent (AGDE) 33.875 μSv.y−1. Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (Eav.). 0.37 mSv.y−1 and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) 0.129 × 10-3 in Corn samples. The levels of natural radioactivity in the four foodstuffs available in the local markets are not in the range of disease risks and are subject to international standards, also, a statistical significance was found among the four food items studied using statistical analysis.

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