Abstract
Passive gamma ray spectrometry and neutron capture prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) were used to investigate powdered cow's milk samples [termed optimal (1), optimal (2) and optimal (3)] collected from local markets in the city of Cairo, Egypt. Standard material with a total average activity of 0.830±0.2μCi and a certified reference material [IAEA (A-14)] were used to study the accuracy of a passive multi-gamma ray measurement method. Three powdered milk samples of the same geometry and volume were used in this analysis. The specific activity of 226Ra ranged from 24.5±2.1 to 114±1.2Bq/kg, 232Th from 8±1 to 14±1.2Bq/kg and 40K from 444±28 to 1826.1±3.1Bq/kg, all of which were higher than the activities corresponding to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (50, 50 and 500Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively). The average dose rate at 1cm for 40K ranged from 8.21E−02±0.12 to 3.3E−1±0.22mSv/h/cm. We also showed that 208Tl81, 212Pb82 and 212Bi83 should be considered products of thorium. k0-PGAA was carried out using an integrated and calibrated prompt gamma ray system with a neutron flux of 106n/cm2 per second. The thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f) and cadmium ratio were measured using a thin gold foil technique (ration=160). Different Cl concentrations were prepared as standards for k0-PGAA. The elemental concentrations of Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ga, Zn, As, Se, Cs, Cd, In, Th and I were measured in the three powdered milk samples. The mean±standard deviation ranges of the elements were as follows: Na=1069±49–1583±53ppm, Mg=347±13.64–385±16.71ppm, Al=45±1.30–72±2.40ppm, Fe=5500±110–7123±130ppm, Zn=107±3–123±6ppm, Ca=4200±72–5483±81ppm, Mn=1269±69–1784±72ppm, Pr=1.7±0.02–2.6±0.07ppm, Ga=265±5–293±8ppm, Cu=57±0.5–64±0.9ppm, In=1000± 38.64–1574±41.34ppm, Cd=6.1±2.71–12.6±4.11ppm, I=53±0.09–62±1.18ppm, Cs=4±1.56–11±4.22ppm, As=26±0.66–29±0.89ppm, Se=126±4.8–144±5.7ppm, Th=47±1.0–78±6.0ppm.
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