Recommended Safety Limits Research Articles

Assessment of radioactivity and radiological hazards in some flooring materials used in Karbala governorate, Iraq

The radioactivity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U in 20 specimens of commercial flooring materials used in Karbala governorate, were measured using (HPGe) system. The results of measurements have shown that highest value of specific activity of for 238U which was 294.570Bq/kg (granite; Vietnamese origin), 232Th which was 88.808Bq/kg (granite; Italian origin) and 40K which was 284.580Bq/kg (marbles; Iranian origin), which were less than the worldwide average (UNSCEAR,2000). The various hazard indices were also calculated to assess the radiation hazard. It was found that none of the results exceed the recommended limit value. All specimens in this paper are within the recommended safety limit and do not present huge radiation dangers.

Quantification of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Six Cultivable Fish Species from the River Owena in Nigeria and a Template for Food Safety Assessment

The Owena River Basin in Nigeria is an area of agricultural importance for the production of cocoa. To optimise crop yield, the cocoa trees require spraying with neonicotinoid insecticides (Imidacloprid, Thiacloprid Acetamiprid and Thiamethoxam). It is proposed that rainwater runoff from the treated area may pollute the Owena River and that these pesticides may thereby enter the human food chain via six species of fish (Clariasgariepinus, Clariasanguillaris, Sarotherodongalilaeus, Parachannaobscura, Oreochromisniloticus and Gymnarchusniloticus) which are cultured in the river mostly for local consumption. This work aims to establish a working method to quantify the likely levels of the insecticides in the six species of fish, firstly by undertaking a laboratory-based study employing the QuEChERS method to extract the four neonicotinoids from fish purchased in marketplace in the UK, spiked with known quantities of the pesticide and using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) as the detection method; secondly, by using these samples to optimise the detection method for very low levels of pesticides, then applying the optimised techniques to the analysis of three of each six species of fish taken from the Owena River. A significant benefit of this combined technique is that only small samples of fish are required. Success with this part of the study showed that very low concentrations of the insecticides could be detected in fish muscle. The third aim is to apply a simple quantitative risk assessment model using the data sets obtained, together with information about daily diet, human body weight and recommended safety limits of pesticides in food to illustrate how human health may be affected by the consumption of these fish. The multiple determinations of neonicotinoids in edible fishes in Nigeria are pioneer research and fill a gap in addressing the relationship between waterborne pesticides and food quality in the country. Fundamentally, this work is an exercise to demonstrate the applicability of the aforementioned instrumental method of analysis to fish muscle, which requires only a small sample size of fish; a large number of fish is not required for a proof of concept, in this case. Although not a monitoring programme for the whole Owena River Basin ecosystem per se, this work successfully demonstrates the technical feasibility of a system of chemical analysis and establishes the foundation for ecological surveys in the immediate future. Parameters involving exposures to xenobiotics in ecotoxicological modelling can now be expressed in terms of both mass and molar concentrations of a chemical in animal tissues if so desired.

Comparative analysis of NORM concentration in mineral soils and tailings from a tin-mine in Nigeria

Mining of tin and other related activities have been active and thus leading to economic growth in the Jos area of Nigeria for more than a century. However, mining of minerals has been confirmed to enhance the concentrations of heavy metals and natural radioisotopes in the soil, air and water bodies in the environment. In an attempt to evaluate the radiological burdens resulting from tin mining activities at Rayfield-Du area of Jos, specific activities of naturally occurring radioactive nuclei (238U, 232Th and 40K) concentrations were evaluated in soil samples collected from the mine site. The soil samples were classified as normal soil (S), tailings (T) and mineral soils (M) and their corresponding mean activities for 238U, 232Th and 40K were analysed using an HpGe detector-based gamma spectrometric system. The mean activity concentration for 238U, 232Th and 40K were 323.44, 877.63 and 864.99 Bq/kg, 138.84, 469.31 and 578.65 Bq/kg and 168.83, 436.08 and 346.1 Bq/kg, respectively for M, T and S samples. The calculated radiation dose parameters for the soil samples were all higher than the recommended safety limit. For all the collected soil samples, the external hazard risk Hext were 2.21, 2.81 and 4.44 for S, T and M, respectively while the mean calculated radium equivalent was 819, 1057 and 1645 Bq/kg for S, T, and M, respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risk estimated for the mine was more than the world average value. The radio-ecological dose rate estimate for non-human biota in the mine revealed that all non-human species except lichen and bryophyte had absorbed dose rate less than the 10 µGy/h screening dose.

Radioactivity levels and radiation health hazards in medicinal plants used in Rize Province, Turkey

ABSTRACTNatural and artificial radionuclide concentrations were determined and evaluated in 12 different medicinal plants used in Rize Province of Turkey. The levels of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were specified in medicinal plants and a germanium detector with high-purity was used for these measurements. Mean activity values of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in medicinal plants were obtained to be 4.48, 1.83, 259.2 and 0.70 Bq kg‒1, respectively. The obtained values were compared with the values reached in similar studies conducted in different countries. All activity values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K determined in the present study were found to be lower than the worldwide mean values. In addition, the following radiological parameters were determined in medicinal plants and compared with the recommended limits: radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (D), exposure rate (ER), gamma representative level index (RLI), annual effective dose (AED), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Pearson correlation coefficients were determined to assess the correlations between radioactive variables in medicinal plants. The radiological values determined in this study are within the recommended safety limit and the medicinal plants do not pose any significant radiological risk to human health.

The dependence of natural radioactivity levels and its radiological hazards on the texture of agricultural soil in Upper Egypt

To control outdoor exposure to natural radiation, assessment of activity concentrations of the radionuclides in soils is substantial. In this paper, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) was estimated for 174 agriculture soil samples using a sodium iodide detector (NaI) of (3” × 3”). Soil samples were collected from seven regions (56 locations) in EL-Minya governorate, Upper Egypt. The variability of natural activity concentration with soil’s textures was checked. The texture types of soil samples were silt clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay loam, and sandy silt loam. The obtained results indicate that the mean values of specific activity ranged from 11.3 ± 0.5 (sandy silt loam) to 21 ± 1(silt clay loam), 6.8 ± 0.3 (sandy silt loam) to 13.7 ± 0.7 (sandy clay loam), and 112 ± 5 (sandy silt loam) to 272 ± 13.6 (sandy clay loam) Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K, respectively. The obtained results were compared with the global average and tolerable limits as recommended in UNSCEAR 2008. On the other side, the radiological hazard resulting from the total natural radioactivity in the studied soil samples was estimated by different approaches. The obtained values were within the recommended safety limit and do not pose significant radiation hazards.

10.33945/SAMI/AJCA.2020.1.10

The elemental contents of Ficus sycomorus, Celtis interifolia, Balanites eagyptiaca, Vitex doniana and Haemtostaphis barteri leaves were investigated from Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa state. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the elemental level in the plants. For essential elements, sodium was recorded highest in the plant investigated followed by potassium, magnesium and calcium. Zinc was observed highest in Ficus sycomorus followed by Haematostaphis barteri, Vitex doniana. Balanites eagyptisca and Celtis integrifolia. The concentration of copper was recorded highest in Vitex doniana. The levels of cadmium in the plants are in the order: Haematostaphis bareri > Balanites eagyptiaca > Vitex doniana > Ficus sycomorus > Celtis integrifolia. Lead was below the detectable limit of the analytical method used. The elemental compositions of the plants were within the recommended safety limit of WHO, except for cadmium which was slightly above the recommended level.

Prevalence of Bacterial Microbiota in Tilapia Guineensis Harvested from Buguma Brackish Water Environment River State, Nigeria

Brackish water fishes usually harbour human pathogenic bacteria particularly the enterics and coliform groups in their mucosal surfaces. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of skin and gills microbiota of Tilapia guineensis as to understand their microbial assemblages and as well provide useful insights into the broad dynamics of the fish host-microbial relationship and health status. Thirty samples of Tilapia guineensis were collected from Buguma brackish water environment, River State, Nigeria. The skin and the gills of the tilapia were analyzed microbiologically. Specimen were collected by swabbing aseptically over the skin and gills segment of the fish and then processed for total bacterial count, followed by isolation and identification of isolated bacteria. Microbial load analysis revealed that the total viable count of bacteria ranged from 2.4 to 7.6 x 105 cfu/ml for skin and 2.1 to 5.7 x 106 cfu/ml for gills, and it was observed to fall within the recommended microbiological standard safety limit. A total of thirty-seven (37) bacteria, belonging to fifteen different genera in the family of Vibrionaceae, enterobacteriaceae and Morganellaceae were isolated from the fish. The prevalent rate of the bacterial shows that Proteus vulgaris recorded the highest frequency of occurrence of 16.22%, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus with 10.81% occurrence and Provindencia rettgeri, Serratia mercescens and Salmonella sp. trailed them with 8.11%. Kluyyera ascorbate, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, plesiomonas shigelloides and Pseudomonas sp. have the least frequency of occurrence with 2.7% respectively for each. Though the bacterial count of Tilapia guineensis harvested from the water and fish sample did not exceed the standard recommended safety limit. There were several potential pathogenic and spoilage bacteria isolated as part of the fish flora. The presence of these bacteria could poses or constitute a public health risk.

Annual effective dose associated with radon, gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in drinking water from gold mining areas of Shanono and Bagwai, Kano state, Nigeria

Artisanal gold mining activities in Shanono and Bagwai local governments of Kano state Nigeria is a serious threat to the quality of drinking water in the area. This work was carried out to assess the radon, gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in drinking water sources from artisanal gold mining villages in Shanono and Bagwai local government areas of Kano state, Nigeria. Water samples were collected and analysed for gross α and β radioactivity using a non-gas proportional counter with model protean instrument corporation MPC 2000DP single channel and for 222Rn using liquid scintillation counter (Tri-Carb-LSA1000). 222Rn, gross α and β radioactivity had average concentrations of 36.101, 0.142 and 0.285 Bq/L respectively. The annual effective dose for the ingestion of 222Rn, gross α and β radioactivity were 0.264, 0.228, 0.457mSv/year for adults; 0.395, 0.114, 0.229mSv/year for children and 0.461, 0.057 and 0.114mSv/year for infants respectively. These values were higher than the ICRP, WHO, UNSCEAR and USEPA recommended safety limits, indicating that the water is not safe for drinking and domestic purposes in terms of radiological consequences.

Connotation of Workout Variables with Surface Unevenness Throughout CNC Turning of ASTM 316 Steel Exhausting RSM

Series of explorations vis-à-vis RSM stays developed and executed for estimating outcome of several workout variables like V, F and D on surface unevenness throughout CNC turning of ASTM 316 steel using coated carbide insert. 2D graphs through momentous surface unevenness got developed and utilized for evaluating average surface unevenness through ideal design situations. Evidently, text interface impressions are extraneous. Research findings through different mathematical analyses provided the effective guideline for choosing appropriate machine settings to realize surface unevenness within the stipulated limit during stated turning operation. Ideal machining situations got determined to minimize the surface unevenness of same. Current research evidently divulges that multicoated carbide inserts performed marvelously at optimum workout variables combination of V = 150 m/min, F = 0.10 mm/rev with D = 0.4 mm. Ultimate range of Ra with Rz are 0.16 μm ≤ Ra ≤ 0.52 μm and 1.4 μm ≤ Rz ≤ 3.1 μm, respectively. Besides, Ra is below recommended safety limit 1.5 μm (i.e. Ra < 1.5 μm) for turning using coated carbide inserts. 2D contour plots got developed with changing 2 variables and unchanging third one. Exclusively, both unevenness variables (Ra and Rz) increase with F. Nevertheless, D got quite insignificant impact on both unevenness variables (Ra and Rz). Furthermore, both unevenness variables decrease with V. Probability plot of Rz is depicted for trialing statistical cogency of representations. Residuals deviations look like meticulously straight trajectory.

Optimization of Different Workout Variables Throughout CNC Turning of ASTM 316 Deploying ANOVA

Blueprint of examination regarding ANOVA remains developed and executed for evaluating effect of various workout variables like V, F and D on surface unevenness throughout CNC turning of ASTM 316 steel using coated carbide insert. 3D graphs through momentous surface unevenness got developed and utilized for evaluating average surface unevenness through ideal design situations. Evidently, text interface impressions are extraneous. Research findings through different mathematical analyses provided the effective guideline for choosing appropriate machine settings to realize surface unevenness within the stipulated limit during stated turning operation. Ideal machining situations got determined to minimize the surface unevenness of same. Current research evidently divulges that multicoated carbide inserts performed marvelously at optimum workout variables combination of V = 150 m/min, F = 0.10 mm/rev with D = 0.4 mm. Ultimate range of Ra with Rz are 0.16 μm ≤ Ra ≤ 0.52 μm and 1.4 μm ≤ Rz ≤ 3.1 μm, respectively. Besides, Ra is below recommended safety limit 1.5 μm (i.e. Ra < 1.5 μm) for turning using coated carbide inserts. 3D surface plots got developed with changing 2 variables and fixing third one. Wholly, both unevenness variables (Ra and Rz) increase with F. Also, both unevenness variables (Ra and Rz) decrease with increase in V. But, D got quite insignificant impact on both unevenness variables (Ra and Rz). Probability plot of Ra is depicted for trialing statistical cogency of representations. Residuals discrepancies appear along approximately linear route.

Assessment of shielding potentials and radiological safety indices of Nigerian granite rocks

The activity concentration of primordial radioisotopes (238U,232Th and 40K) in granite rock samples from Minna, North central Nigeria were measured using a sensitive HPGe detector for gamma spectrometric measurement. Five granite rock samples were collected from Maikunkele, Bosso, Maitumbi, Chanchaga and Paiko areas of the town. The average activity concentrations for the radionuclides in the rocks were: 27 ± 4 Bq/kg; 48 ± 7 Bq/kg and 874 ± 86 Bq/kg for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. The average absorbed dose rate, effective dose; radium equivalent (Req) and internal hazard index (Hin) were 65 ± 10 nG/h; 0.32 ± 0.05 mSv/y; 140 ± 21 Bq/kg and 0.45 ± 0.07 respectively. All the rock samples had Req less than the recommended safety value of 370 Bq/kg. All evaluated radiological safety indices fell within the recommended safety limits and world average values. The analysis of radionuclide content of the granite rocks showed that they do not pose environmental radiation risk to humans when used as structural shielding materials. Mass attenuation coefficients of the granite samples evaluated via the WinXcom computer code suggested that the granite rocks considered have good shielding capacity comparable to that of ordinary concrete.Keywords: Radionuclide; radiation effect; shielding; dose assessment; granite

Natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment of industrial wastes from the coastal phosphate treatment plants of Gabes (Tunisia, Southern Mediterranean Sea)

This work is a first contribution to the knowledge of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 238U, 40K, and 232Th) activities in phosphate rock (NORM), phosphogypsum, and phosphogypsum foam (TENORM) from the coastal fertilizer plants of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia) and the assessment of their radiation hazards on human health and the surrounding environment. In the three studied materials, activities were found to be in the range of 35.4 (40K)–375.1 (226Ra), 10.0 (40K)–220.2 (226Ra), and 79.2 (232Th)–1168.6 Bq kg−1 (226Ra), respectively. Considering the studied radionuclides and materials, the corresponding decreasing activity orders were found to be 226Ra > 238U > 40K > 232Th and PGF > PR > PG, respectively. All human health hazard indices exceeded the worldwide recommended safety limits, which show that the workers in Gabes phosphate fertilizer plants as well as the neighboring human community may potentially be exposed to significant radiation, which may cause several diseases and malformations. It is therefore recommended to avoid and/or reduce the potential fertilizer industry radioactive impact in the area.

Do current Philips ultrasound systems exceed the recommended safety limits during routine prenatal ultrasounds?

Biological safety of ultrasound is a complex and nuanced subject that is poorly understood by ultrasound users. Little is known about the acoustic output and thermal index levels during the routine use of modern ultrasound machines in prenatal scanning. This study was a retrospective review of thermal index (TI) values encountered during 300 prenatal ultrasound examinations (100 in each trimester) performed on any one of 13 Philips Epiq 7 or Epiq 5 systems, representing approximately 106.5h of real-time scanning. The TI levels were compared to three international guidelines on the biological safety of ultrasound. The routine use of current Philips systems was associated with low TI levels. Of the 300 examinations reviewed, virtually all were compliant with the BMUS and Nelson safety guideline. Whether the examination was compliant with the WFUMB guideline is open to interpretation. The highest level of TI encountered was 1.1. In no instance did the TI level incur into the 'not recommended' range or into a range where specific user action was required to reduce the TI within 1min. The most frequent action associated with TI>0.7 was the use of M-mode to document the fetal heart rate. In the four instances where TI peaked at 1.1, 3 were associated with the use of M-mode and one with B-mode. Spectral Doppler was not implicated in high TI levels. These results are surprising and open up a range of opportunities for future study.

Risk Assessment of some Heavy Metals from Claris gariepinus (African catfish) Consumed in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

This study was conducted to determine the residual concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) in Claris gariepinus from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to assess such metals dietary intake, and to evaluate the possible health risks linked with the fish consumption. Therefore, ninety Claris gariepinus samples, 30 of each, from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The obtained results showed that, the mean residual concentrations in Clarias gariepinusfrom Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were 0.08±0.02, 0.19±0.02 and 0.4±0.06 ppm for Cd, respectively. While, the results of Pb were 0.45±0.07, 0.42±0.04 and 0.51±0.08 ppm, respectively; 0.59±0.15, 1.02±0.08 and 0.15±0.03 ppm for Hg, and 0.74±0.06, 0.69±0.04 and 0.64±0.08 ppm for As. The estimated metals' concentration exceeded the recommended safety limits outlined by Egyptian standards (ES No 7136/2010) for most samples. The total estimated daily intakes (EDI) of Cd, Pb, Hg and As were 1, 3.57, 0.57and 2.14 μg/kg BW/day, respectively, that were less than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) suggested by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Referring to the potential health risks of inspected Claris gariepinus, it was valued that the target hazard quotient (THQ) of As of all Claris gariepinus samples from Abou Hammad, Zagazig and Faqous fish markets were 1.34, 1.25, 1.16, respectively. These results were more than 1, representing possible health risks, while THQs of other metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) from Claris gariepinus consumption from all examined areas were lower than 1 as compared to the reference doses. The obtained results give us an alert that the consumer could be under health hazards so that further investigation of Claris gariepinus is recommended at Sharkia Governorate.

Assessment of natural radionuclide enrichment and radiation hazard from building materials in Kannur District, Kerala

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th series and singly occurring radionuclide 40K have been assessed in most commonly used building materials in Kannur district, Kerala, using well established gamma ray spectrometry employing 5 cm × 5 cm scintillation NaI (Tl) detector. The results of the present work include activities of radionuclides viz. 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and associated radiological parameters. The important and expected significant parameters estimated from the activities were radium equivalent activity (Raeq), hazard indexes and dose parameters. The study indicates that all the estimated parameters are within the recommended safety limit except for average value of excess life time cancer risk, which is slightly higher than the world average value (0.29 × 10−3). The present investigation suggests that, the contribution to the radiation dose due to the use of these materials for the building construction is insignificant and do not contribute substantial radiation hazards to the occupants. The results of these systematic investigations are presented and discussed in the manuscript.

Dynamics of biogenic amines and bacterial communities in a Thai fermented pork product Nham

A traditional Thai fermented pork, nham, is a product popularly consumed in Thailand. Fermentation of the protein-rich product by uncontrolled bacterial community can result in high amounts of hazardous biogenic amines (BA). This study aimed to unveil dynamics of microbial community and its relation to BA accumulation in nham. Three batches of nham were analyzed for pH, lactic acid bacteria population, concentrations of organic acids and BA. Bacterial communities were analyzed by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. In all batches, pH dropped to the quality standard of nham (≤4.6) within 3–5 days by production of lactic acid and acetic acid. Initial BA levels varied batch-by-batch and increased with fermentation time. In the highest quality batch, levels of histamine, tyramine, and total BA were within the recommended safety limits (200, 100 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively) throughout the 10-days study. However, in other batches, unsafe levels of tyramine and total BA were found after 5 days of fermentation. The results indicated that over-fermentation and inferior conditions of ingredients increased risk due to high levels of BA. Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Weissella were prevalent and comprised >90% of total bacteria during fermentation. Weissella was predominant in the batch with low BA while Lactobacillus and Pediococcus were predominant in the higher BA batches. A negative correlation between Weissella dominance and total BA was observed (r = −0.90, p = .003). A 10% increase in dominance of Weissella was associated with 75–170 mg/kg decrease in total BA. W. hellenica was the species prevalent only in low BA batch. Therefore, W. hellenica isolates were suggested as subjects for future study to develop efficient starter culture securing safety of nham.

Experimental Evaluation of Radiological Hazards in Ceramic Tiles Used in the Jos-South, Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Radiological hazards resulting from 5 different brands of ceramic tiles commonly used in homes and offices in Jos-south area ofplateau state were assessed in this study by carrying out radioactivity measurement of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) in them using a NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer. The ceramic tiles had mean activity concentrations of 44.5, 59.6 and 417.4 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. The average radium equivalent is within the recommended limit of 370 Bq kg-1 for building materials. The radiological hazard indices such as the gamma absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external radiation index (Hex), internal radiation hazard index (Hin), Alpha index (Iα), Gamma index (Iγ), excess lifetime cancer risk, and annual gonadal dose equivalent were evaluated. The results obtained show that the radiological parameters do not exceed the recommended safety limits and hence pose no significant radiological hazard when used as building material.

Metal bioaccumulation in the soil–leaf–fruit system determined by neutron activation analysis

The determination of macro- and microelements in soil–leaf–fruit systems is extremely important for the quality of the fruits and for consumer health. The content of major and trace elements in selected varieties of fruits (apple, plum, and grape) as well as in leaves and soils samples, collected in the Republic of Moldova, was determined using neutron activation analysis. Soil elemental content allowed evidencing more similarities between the considered soils and the World Average Soil, while the content of trace elements corresponds to average values obtained for microelements in the Republic of Moldova. The content of the main part of the element in apple fruits was higher in comparison with plum and grape fruits. The highest concentration in case of all fruits was obtained for K: 14,500 µg/g (grape), 21,600 µg/g (plum) and 23,700 µg/g (apple). Transfer factors from soils to leaves and fruits as well as from leaves to fruits, the daily intake of metals, and the hazard quotient indices were calculated. The transfer factor calculated for different systems showed large differences between metals. The values for the estimated dietary intakes and hazard quotients for toxic elements (Cr, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, and Zn) were lower than the recommended safety limits by Food and Nutrition Board. Therefore, the analyzed fruits were considered to be safe for human consumption.

Determination of minerals in infant milk formulae by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Commercial milk formulae hold a major role in the diet of many infants in developed countries and assessing their mineral content is important in order to ensure compliance with the manufacturer claims and with regulation guidelines. In this study, the concentrations of K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Br, Rb and Sr were determined by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry in 28 infant milk formulae widely distributed in the Greek market. The concentration ranges (in mg kg−1) measured for K (2180–7600), Ca (3240–7480), Fe (29–98) and Zn (38–84) were within the limits recommended by the European legislation, with only a few exceptions. Although measured values were generally consistent with those labelled by the manufacturers, discrepancies over 50% to 100% were observed in some cases and were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. The findings indicate the need for close monitoring to guarantee good manufacturing practices and constant quality of infant formulae. The daily intakes of minerals from consumption of different types of milk formulae were also estimated and the overall ranges were (0.23–0.85) g d−1 for K, (348–736) mg d−1 for Ca, (3.2–10.5) mg d−1 for Fe and (4.1–9.0) mg d−1 for Zn. These values conform to currently recommended safety limits.

Natural radioactivity levels and evaluation of radiological hazards in some Egyptian ornamental stones

Geological materials usually contaminated with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) have become a focus of great attention. The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in some ornamental stones in Egypt, were measured using a high-resolution gamma ray spectrometer. The natural radionuclide contents, (Ra) equivalent activities and various hazard indices were also calculated to assess the radiation hazard. It was found that none of the results exceed the recommended limit value. All samples under investigation are within the recommended safety limit and do not pose significant radiation hazards.