Health risk assessment of natural and artificial radionuclides in medicinal plants

In the present work, we determined activity concentrations of ten Medicinal herbs using gamma spectrometry. The radioactivity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs were 2.82, 0.63, 984.32, 0.28 Bq/kg, respectively. These doses are not hazardous to the general public's health. The mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (D), annual effective dose (De) and external hazard index (Hex) are 79.51 Bq/kg, 42.73 nGy-1 , 52.40 µSv and 0.21, respectively. Medicinal plants used to make tea do not contain a concentration of tested radionuclides that would cause negative consequences to one's health.

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Measurement of background radiation, cosmic ray flux and their hazard parameter of Baghdad city districts

Iraqi Journal of Physics (IJP) ◽

10.30723/ijp.v14i31.185 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (31) ◽

pp. 179-187

Author(s):

Shafik S. Shafik

Keyword(s):

Background Radiation ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Cosmic Ray ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Average Value ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent ◽

Cosmic Ray Flux

The aim of this work was directed to measure the cosmic ray (CR)flux and the background (BG) absorbed dose rate for districts ofBaghdad city. The maximum values of CR flux was 2.01(particle/cm2.s) registered for several Baghdad districts and theminimum was 0.403 (particle/cm2.s) belonging to Al-kadhimiyadistrict, whereas the overall average value was 1.24 (particle/cm2.s).The BG measurements showed that the maximum absorbed dose was25 nSv/h belonging to Noab AL-Dhbat district and the minimumabsorbed was 19.01 nSv/h observed in Al-Ghadeer district, whilethe overall average was 22.56 nSv/h, and this value is small than theIraqi permissible limit, which is restricted by Iraqi Center ofRadiation Protection.The hazard indices, radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose(D), external annual effective dose (EAD), internal hazard index(Hin), and external hazard index (Hext), of TBG, were estimated andall the values of these indices are within the allowed internationallimits.

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Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards in Agricultural and Virgin Soil in the State of Kedah, North of Malaysia

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2016/6178103 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Ghazwa Alzubaidi ◽

Fauziah B. S. Hamid ◽

I. Abdul Rahman

Keyword(s):

Gamma Ray ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

Virgin Soil ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Mean

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides226Ra,232Th, and40K were determined in 30 agricultural and virgin soil samples randomly collected from Kedah, north of Malaysia, at a fertile soil depth of 0–30 cm. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detector and a PC-based MCA. The mean radioactivity concentrations of226Ra,232Th, and40K were found to be 102.08 ± 3.96, 133.96 ± 2.92, and 325.87 ± 9.83 Bq kg−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 65.24 ± 2.00, 83.39 ± 2.27, and 136.98 ± 9.76 Bq kg−1, respectively, in virgin soils. The radioactivity concentrations in agricultural soils are higher than those in virgin soils and compared with those reported in other countries. The mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose ratesD(nGy h−1), annual effective dose equivalent, and external hazard index (Hex) are 458.785 Bq kg−1, 141.62 nGy h−1, and 0.169 mSv y−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 214.293 Bq kg−1, 87.47 nGy h−1, and 0.106 mSv y−1, respectively, in virgin soils, with averageHexof 0.525. Results were discussed and compared with those reported in similar studies and with internationally recommended values.

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A review: Natural and artificial radionuclides and radiation hazard parameters in the soil of mountain regions in Serbia

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas2001001m ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Branislava Mitrovic ◽

Dragana Todorovic ◽

Jelena Ajtic ◽

Borjana Vranjes

Keyword(s):

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Dose Equivalent ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Hazard Parameters

This review paper discusses the content of natural (40K, 238U, 226Ra, and 232Th) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in the soil of the mountains of Maljen, Tara and Kopaonik in the Republic of Serbia over 2002-2015. In addition, the paper gives radiation hazard parameters, i.e., radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors that we calculated from the obtained content of the natural radionuclides in the soil samples. We compared the parameters to previously published results for different parts of the country and looked into the radioecological status of the investigated areas.

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Measurement of NORM in Building Materials to Assess Radiological Hazards to Human Health and Develop the Standard Guidelines for Residents in Thailand: Case Study in Sand Samples Collected from Seven Northeastern Thailand Provinces

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12081024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1024

Author(s):

Phachirarat Sola ◽

Uthaiwan Injarean ◽

Roppon Picha ◽

Chutima Kranrod ◽

Chunyapuk Kukusamude ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Dose Rates ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Standard Guideline ◽

Northeastern Thailand

A total of 223 sand samples collected from seven provinces in Northeastern Thailand were analyzed for their gamma radioactivity from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and the data were used to calculate the concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40. Radiological safety indicators such as the indoor external dose rates (Din), the annual indoor effective dose (Ein), the activity concentration index (I), the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex), the internal haphazard index (Hin), and the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The activity concentrations were found to be 36 ± 10 Bq/kg for Ra-226, 2.64 ± 0.58 Bq/kg for Th-232, and 323 ± 168 Bq/kg for K-40. Din is 62 ± 23 nGy/h. The Ein is 0.30 ± 0.11 mSv/y. The activity concentrations and other indicators were reported by each province and compared with the safety standards and are found to be within the safe limits in this study. The results can be used to develop the standard guideline levels for choosing building materials in Thailand.

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Natural Radioactivity Levels in Soil Samples of AL- Sadr and AL-Forat AL-Aosat Hospitals in Najaf

Earth & Environmental Science Research & Reviews ◽

10.33140/eesrr/01/01/00001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Specific Activity ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Average Value ◽

Radiation Risks ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent

This work was undertaken with the purpose of measuring natural radioactivity, due to 238U, 232Th and 40K in 30 soil samples collected from two hospitals in the governorate of (AL-Najaf), in Iraq. The samples were distributed (15) samples per hospital, and Radiation risks were also calculated for all soil samples. The natural radioactivity was measured using NaI (Tl) detector, the results of the specific activity at the Al Sadr Hospital were 238U ranged from (5.89±0.36 to 21.38±0.69) (Bq/kg) with average value 12.60±0.51 (Bq/kg). 232Th from (0.44±0.06 to 14.67±0.37) (Bq/kg) with average value (4.46±0.19) (Bq/kg), and 40K from (252.14±2.54 to 478.24±3.50) (Bq/kg) with average value (346.95±289) (Bq/kg). AL-Forat AL-Aosat hospital results were 238U ranged from (0.69±0.12 to 27.63±0.74) (Bq/kg) with average value (12.84±0.51) (Bq/kg), 232Th from (1.47±0.11 to 9.3±0.31 (Bq/kg) with average value 6.19±0.24 (Bq/kg), and 40K from (192.88±2.27 to 338.52±3.08) (Bq/kg) with average value (254.29±2.54) (Bq/kg). The radiation risks calculated, Radium Equivalent (Raeq), external Hazard index (Hex), absorbed dose rate (ADr), total Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE), and the Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR). The results were for Al Sadr Hospital (45.7063(Bq/kg), 0.1234, 23.0648(nGy/h), 0.0283(mSV/y), 1.247439702×10-3) respectively. For AL-Forat AL-Aosat hospital were (41.2655 (Bq/kg), 0.111, 20.3772 (nGy/h), 0.0250(mSV/y)`, 1.102083688×10-3) respectively. The results in the two hospitals were compared with the global allowable values ratio within the permissible ranges specified by UNSCER, OCDE, and ICRP; we concluded that all the sites in this study are safe.

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Environmental radioactivity in southern Serbia at locations where depleted uranium was used

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology ◽

10.2478/10004-1254-65-2014-2427 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 189-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nataša B. Sarap ◽

Marija M. Janković ◽

Dragana J. Todorović ◽

Jelena D. Nikolić ◽

Milojko S. Kovačević

Keyword(s):

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Depleted Uranium ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Gross Alpha ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Radionuclide Content ◽

Radium Equivalent ◽

Radioactivity Monitoring

AbstractIn the 1999 bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, NATO forces used ammunition containing depleted uranium. The cleaning of depleted uranium that followed was performed in southern Serbia by the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences between 2002 and 2007 at the locations of Pljačkovica, Borovac, Bratoselce, and Reljan. This paper presents detailed results of radioactivity monitoring four years after cleaning (2011), which included the determination of gamma emitters in soil, water, and plant samples, as well as gross alpha and beta activities in water samples. The gamma spectrometry results showed the presence of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 235U, 238U, and the produced radionuclide 137Cs (from the Chernobyl accident). In order to evaluate the radiological hazard from soil, the radium equivalent activity, the gamma dose rate, the external hazard index, and the annual effective dose were calculated. Considering that a significant number of people inhabit the studied locations, the periodical monitoring of radionuclide content is vital.

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Natural Radioactivity of Topsoil in Two Granite Areas of Guangzhou, South China

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.955-959.3691 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 955-959 ◽

pp. 3691-3695

Author(s):

Gang Song ◽

Min Xing Lu ◽

Qiu Ping Zhu ◽

Di Yun Chen ◽

Yong Heng Chen

Keyword(s):

Effective Dose ◽

Annual Effective Dose ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Natural Radionuclide ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent

The natural radionuclide (238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) concentrations in 152 soil samples were determined from two major granite areas in Guangzhou, using high resolution γ-ray spectroscopic system based on the characteristic spectral peaks. The mean activity values for 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 156.6±98.8, 160.9±96.5, 184.8±101.5 and 832.5±493.1 Bq kg–1 dry mass, respectively. The absorbed dose rate (D) calculated from activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 53.2 to 497.1 nGy h–1 with a mean of 220.7 nGy h–1. The Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the outdoor annual effective dose and the external hazard index (Ir), which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil, were also calculated and found to vary from 119.7 to 1117.2 Bq kg–1, from 0.07 to 0.61 mSv and from 0.33 to 3.07, respectively. The radium equivalent activities and the external hazard index in all the soil samples were same as 64.5% higher than the limit of 370 Bq kg–1 and 1.0, respectively. The outdoor annual effective dose was higher than the worldwide mean value of 0.07 mSv.

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Determination of natural radioactivity, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates and radiation hazards of fly ash and fly ash brick used in Baotou, China

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp1603282l ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 282-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yuxin Li ◽

Xinwei Lu ◽

Xiaolan Zhang

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Effective Dose ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Annual Effective Dose ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Radiation Hazards ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent ◽

Local Residents

Natural radioactivity levels, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates and radiation hazards of fly ash and fly ash brick used in Baotou, China were determined. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in fly ash samples ranged from 38.81 to 93.73, 40.34 to 135.17, and 66.92 to 290.86 Bq/kg with an average of 76.52, 109.95, and 170.72 Bq/kg, respectively; while in fly ash brick samples, these radionuclides ranged from 42.43 to 71.60, 76.65 to 208.37, and 94.32 to 489.42 Bq/kg with an average of 53.83, 101.93, and 266.48 Bq/kg, respectively. The exhalation rates of 222Rn and 220Rn in all determined samples were in the range of 1.13-20.50 and 15.60-113.00 mBq/m2s, respectively. The calculated results of the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, internal hazard index, indoor annual effective dose and outdoor annual effective dose indicated that fly ashes and fly ash bricks collected from some brick factories of Baotou would pose excessive radiation risks to inhabitants and that they are not suitable for use in building construction. The natural radioactivity level of fly ash and fly ash brick needs to be constantly monitored considering the radiation safety of the local residents.

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232Th, 226Ra, and 40K activities and associated radiological hazards in building materials of Islamabad capital territory, Pakistan

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp1204392r ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 392-398 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Saeed Rahman ◽

Muhammad Rafique

Keyword(s):

Effective Dose ◽

Dose Rate ◽

Building Materials ◽

Annual Effective Dose ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Radiological Hazards ◽

Radium Equivalent ◽

The Mean

Radioactivity levels in building materials, collected from the Islamabad capital territory have been determined by using a gamma spectrometric technique. Measured specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in material samples ranged from 8 ? 1 to 116 ? 6 Bq/kg, 9 ? 1 to 152 ? ? 5 Bq/kg, and 29 ? 6 to 974 ? 23 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and gamma index were evaluated from the measured amounts of radioactivity to assess the radiation hazard associated with the studied building materials. The mean radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose estimated ranged from 81 ? 6 to 221 ? 11 Bq/kg, 38 ? 3 to 104 ? 5 nGy/h, and 0.23 ? 0.02 to 0.64 ? 0.03 mSv, respectively. The ranges of the calculated Raeq were found to be lower than the values recommended for construction materials (370 Bq/kg). The mean values of the internal and external hazard indices were found in the range of 0.30 ? 0.02 to 0.78 ? 0.05 and 0.22 ? 0.02 to 0.60 ? 0.03, respectively. The results of the materials examined indicate no significant radiological hazards arise from using such material in building construction.

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Gamma Emitting Radionuclides in Soils from Selected Areas in Douala-Bassa Zone, Littoral Region of Cameroon

ISRN Spectroscopy ◽

10.1155/2014/245125 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maurice Moyo Ndontchueng ◽

Eric Jilbert Mekongtso Nguelem ◽

Augustin Simo ◽

Raymond Limen Njinga ◽

Gembou Shouop Cébastien Joël

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Germanium Detector ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Mean Values ◽

Littoral Region ◽

Hazard Parameters

A study of natural radioactivity levels in some composites of eighteen soil samples selected within Douala-Bassa zone of Littoral Region has been evaluated. The samples were analysed using gamma spectrometry based broad energy germanium detector (BEGe 6350). The activity profile of radionuclide shows low activity across the studied areas. The obtained mean values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the two campuses were 25.48 Bq/kg, 65.96 Bq/kg, and 39.14 Bq/kg for Campus 1 and 24.50 Bq/kg, 66.71 Bq/kg, and 28.19 Bq/kg for Campus 2, respectively. In terms of health analysis, some radiation health hazard parameters were calculated within the two campuses. The mean values of radium equivalent activity were 122.81 Bq/kg and 122.08 Bq/kg, absorbed dose rate in air was 99.13 nGy/h and 98.18 nGy/y, annual outdoor effective dose was 0.12 mSv/y and 0.12 mSv/y, and external health hazard index was 0.34 and 0.33 in Campus 1 and Campus 2, respectively. These health hazard parameters were seen to be below the safe limit of UNSCEAR 2000 except the absorbed dose rate in air and the annual outdoor effective doses which are relatively high compared to the values of 60 nGy/h and 0.07 mSv/y. These results reveal no significant radiological health hazards for inhabitance within the study areas.

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