Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in different seasonal fruits of Bangladesh. In total 20 samples of 16 different kinds of fruits were collected from the local markets of Bangladesh. The radioactivity of these samples was measured by using Gamma Spectrometry System. The radioactivity of natural radionuclides in the studied seasonal fruit samples were found to be ranged from BDL to 31.13±10.63 Bqkg-1 with an average 10.95 Bqkg-1 due to 238U, from 1.55±0.73 to 34.59±7.43 Bqkg-1 with an average 6.68 Bqkg-1 due to 232Th and from BDL to 733.25±61.17 Bqkg-1 with an average 308 Bqkg-1 due to 40K. Artificial radionuclide was not found in the studied fruit samples. The maximum activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K were observed, respectively in coconut, jujube and papaya. However, the average concentrations of all radionuclides mentioned above in the studied samples were found to be less than the world average. The total annual internal effective dose from the consumption of radioactive fruits was found to be 8.39 μSv/y. The value the annual effective dose in all samples in this study was lower than ICRP 72; therefore, the values natural radioactivity and annual effective dose in the seasonal fruits are found to be safe and no health-hazards are createdfor the population of Bangladesh.
Highlights
Natural radioactive decay series such as 238U and 232Th as well as singly occurring radionuclides such as 40K exist in the earth and atmosphere in varied levels
The samples were stored in order to allow the in-growth of uranium and thorium decay products and achievement of equilibrium for 238U and 232Th with their respective progeny to get ready for measurements
Natural radioactivityand annual effective dose in seasonal fruits sample produced and frequently consumed in Bangladesh were determined in this study
Summary
Natural radioactive decay series such as 238U and 232Th as well as singly occurring radionuclides such as 40K exist in the earth and atmosphere in varied levels. The radioactivity present on air or in the agricultural land and in soil may transfer to the crops grown on it. It happens; that an amount of some radioactive elements find their way into human bodies[1]. Inhalation exposure dose results from the existence of dust particles in air, including radionuclides from 238U and 232Th decay series. In some parts of the world, population growth and movement, industrial development and food security have resulted in pressure to use agricultural lands containing relatively high levels of radioactivity, for instance in the monazite areas of India and Brazil, and in parts of Iran with226Ra anomalies where exposures up to tens of mSv, and in extreme cases 100 mSv, occur annually [3, 4]
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