Effects of Natural Radioactivity of Some Chemical and Organic Fertilizers on Gonads in Iraqi Kufa Markets

Abstract

This study assessed the hazard indicators of common chemical and organic fertilizers widely available in the markets of Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The concentrations of natural radionuclides were measured in thirteen types of fertilizers by Gamma spectrum using NaI(Tl) (3*3) detector. The average radioactivity of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was (48.91, 37.04, and 702.4675) Bq.kg-1, respectively, for (Di-Aluminum Phosphate) the chemical fertilizers of the type (DAP) and the (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) chemical fertilizers of the type (NPK) the average radioactivity of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were (35.78, 42.356 and 1519.653) Bq.kg-1, respectively, while the average radioactivity of the organic fertilizers (Orga.) were 55.153, 23.148 and 1451.258 for the three studied nuclei. As for the average values for radium equivalent were 155.967, 213.363, and 200.0023 (Bq.kg-1) for (DAP), (NPK) and organic fertilizers, respectively. The values of the external severity index (Hex), gamma radiation hazard index (Iγ), and representative alpha index (Iα) were within the permissible limits determined by the UNCEAR 2000. The highest value of total annual effective dose equivalent(TAED) was 1.468 mSv.y-1, the lowest value was 0.302 mSv.y-1, and the mean values were 0.722 mSv.y-1. In contrast, the highest value for annual gonadal dose equivalent(AGED) was 1392.527 μSv.y-1, the lowest value was 275.361 μSv.y-1, and the average values for all models were 672.135 μSv.y-1. The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), the highest value was 4.039 × 10-3, the lowest value was 0.833× 10-3, and the average value was 1.988× 10-3 for all fertilizers. The Pearson correlation between radioactive variables and cluster analysis was recognized for the three types of fertilizer samples despite it not being widely accepted. The study can be considered preliminary data for subsequent studies.