Assessment of Natural Radio Activity Level in Some Imported Food Products in the Iraq Markets

Abstract

The current study includes the evaluation of the levels of natural radioactivity of some nuclei in food samples included of 12 rice, and 8 legumes. Local markets in the Iraqi city of Hilla were sampled and spectral measurements were carried out using the reagent system sodium activated iodide thallium (NaI (Tl)) (3 3). 238U (214Bi), 232Th, and 40K had average values of (16,580.5278, 20,241.0849), and (388.87023.0914, respectively) of Bq/kg in rice samples, according to the study. (214Bi), (232Th), and 40K were all within the range of samples of legumes (7.46), (20.68) (322.57). All these results for the average specific activities of 238U(214B), 232Th and 40k were compared with the limits recommended by UNSCEAR (32)Bq/kg for specific activity of 238U (214B), (45)Bq/kg for specific activity of 232Th, (412)Bq/kg for specific activity of 40K and found to be below those values. Also, it was found that, the internal hazard index were (0.243) Bq/kg in samples of rice and the Extranl hazard index were(0.194 these results for the average value of the internal hazard index were compared with the limits recommended by UNSCEAR (1) for internal hazard index and found to be below those values. Accordingly, most of the food models that examined are considered honest in terms of contamination of nuclear radiation naturally.