Abstract
In this research, Uranium (238U), Thorium (232Th) and Potassium (40K) specific activity in (Bq/kg) were measured in (12) different types of wheat flours that are available in Iraqi markets. The gamma spectrometry method with a NaI(Tl) detector has been used for radiometric measurements. Also in this study we have calculated the radiation hazard indices (radium equivalent activity and internal hazard index) and Ingestion effective dose in all samples. It is found that the specific activity in wheat flour samples were varied from (1.086 ± 0.0866) Bq/kg to (12.532 ± 2.026) Bq/kg, for238U, For 232Th From (0.126 ± 0.066) Bq/kg to (4.298 ± 0.388) Bq/kg and for 40K from (41.842 ± 5.875) Bq/kg to (264.729 ± 3.843) Bq/kg. Also, it is found that the of radium equivalent activity and internal hazard index in wheat flour samples ranged from (3.4031) Bq/kg to (35.1523) Bq/kg and from (0.0091) to (0.1219) respectively. But The range of summation of the Ingestion effective dose were varied from (0.0317) mSv/y to (0.5734) mSv/y. This study prove that the natural radioactivity, radiation hazard indices and Ingestion effective dose were lower than the safe.
Highlights
Natural radioactivity is caused by the presence of natural occurring radioactive matter (NORM) in the environment
Since wheat flour is one of the essential foods that is consumed in Iraqis daily lives, the desire to establish a national baseline of radioactivity exposure from different types of wheat flour samples that available in Iraq markets is very critical
There is a variation in the specific activity of radionuclides in different wheat flour samples, for example (F1) which is Turkish Farina has lowest 238U concentration, while (F11) which is Lebanese Good sentences has the maximum value, (F8) Turkish Super has the lowest 232Th concentration while the maximum is (F7) Turkish
Summary
Natural radioactivity is caused by the presence of natural occurring radioactive matter (NORM) in the environment. Since wheat flour is one of the essential foods that is consumed in Iraqis daily lives, the desire to establish a national baseline of radioactivity exposure from different types of wheat flour samples that available in Iraq markets is very critical. The “Staff of Life”, has been an essential commodity to human existence through the centuries and is currently the most widely consumed staple food. Numerous studies were conducted worldwide to investigate natural radionuclides in food consumed in different parts of the world (Hosseini et al 2006; Jibiri & Okusanya 2008; Ababneh et al 2009; Desimoni et al 2009). Because wheat flour is popular among all ages, the current study focuses on investigating the natural radioactive content in all times of food
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