Evaluation of radionuclides in sugar samples from different regions of Brazil

Abstract

Sugar contains radionuclides and its consumption may result in an increase of the internal dose in humans. Thus, this work evaluates the profile and activity of radionuclides present in 4 VHP sugar samples obtained from producers from 4 cities in Brazil, located in the Southeast and Midwest regions: Pirajuba (State of Minas Gerais), Edeia (Goiás), Pitangueira (São Paulo) and Mendonça (São Paulo). The samples were collected between the years 2019 and 2020. The analyzes were performed by gamma spectrometry using a hyper pure germanium semiconductor detector (HPGe) counting the samples over a period of 24 hours. The same profiles of radionuclides 226Ra, 212Pb, 214Bi, 40K were observed in all samples, except for the sample from Mendonça, which presented a low counting rate for 214Bi. Calculations of specific activity were carried out for the two most abundant radionuclides, 226Ra and 40K, obtaining the following values (in Bq kg-1): for 226Ra Pirajuba (22.43 Bq kg-1), Edeia (22.38 Bq kg-1), Pitangueira (18.25 Bq kg-1) and Mendonça (36.16 Bq kg-1) and for 40K Pirajuba (0.66 Bq kg-1), Edeia (0.99 Bq kg-1), Pitangueira (0.66 Bq kg-1) and Mendonça (0.33 Bq kg-1). Additionally, the values ​​of total absorbed dose rate were calculated: ​​Pirajuba (43.61 nGy h-1), Edeia (43.60 nGy h-1), Pitangueira (41.82 nGy h-1) and Mendonça (49.45 nGy h-1). Therefore, according to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the results obtained did not show a significant transfer of absorbed dose due to radionuclides from sugar consumption under the conditions adopted in this work. No variation of radiation dose according to the region or year of production was observed.