Heavy Metal Assessments of Soil Samples from a High Natural Background Radiation Area, Indonesia

Mamuju, Indonesia, is an area with high natural background radiation. This study assesses heavy metal content in soil samples from this area to determine the level of public and environmental hazard it presents. This study analyzes natural radionuclide elements using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry and performs heavy metals analysis using a flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Moreover, pollution indices and descriptive analyses were used to assess heavy metal contamination in the environment and the correlation between heavy metals and radionuclides. The results demonstrate that soil samples in several areas of Mamuju contain a high concentration of the natural radionuclides 226Ra and 232Th, and that heavy metal concentrations in the soil decrease in the sequence Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Cd. This study revealed that soil samples from Mamuju are moderately contaminated. There was a strong positive relationship between 226Ra, 232Th, ambient dose equivalent rate, and Pb. Ecological risk index (RI) and cumulative pollution index (IPI) values in Mamuju are 2.05 and 125, respectively, which are possible hazards to human health as a result. Pb concentration in the Mamuju soil samples ranged from 109 to 744 mg kg−1, exceeding the worldwide average of 27 mg kg−1.

Natural Radionuclide Concentrations and Associated Doses Around Three Dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria

Monitoring of environmental radiation helps to ascertain healthy vicinity which is a catalyst to the economic development of the area. Activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in three (3) dumpsites in Lagos State, Olusosun Landfill, Ojota, Ilupeju dumpsite and, Gbagada dumpsite Lagos state, Nigeria were investigated using gamma-ray spectroscopy to obtain the level of radioactive exposure hazards experienced by people living in these vicinities. A total of thirty soil samples were randomly collected into a polythene bag. They were oven-dried at 110°C, pulverized, and sieved. Quantities of the samples (400 g) were sealed in cylindrical sample holders and kept for about 28 days to attain secular equilibrium between 226Ra and its decay products before analysis using gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentration obtained for 40K, 238U, and 234Th at, Ilupeju, Gbagada, and Ojota were 339.23±33.66, 11.83±19.174, 11.95±22.752 Bq/kg, 337.56 ± 36.22, 11.49±22.14, 11.54 ± 19.33 Bq/kg and 334.87±32.44, 11.42±22.39, 11.56±18.52 Bq/kg respectively. The mean absorbed dose nGy/h, annual effective dose mSv/y were calculated and their results were found to be below the global values. The results indicate that the radiation level within the dumpsites poses no significant health risk to the people living close to the dumpsites.

Natural Radionuclide (Gamma and Alpha Emitters) in Grain Samples Collected from Kerbala Governorate, Iraq

The aim of this research is to detect nature radioactivity for gamma emitters (specific activity 238U, 232Th, and 40K) using NaI(Tl) detectors and alpha emitters (concentrations of 222Rn, 226Ra, and 238U) using CR-39 detectors in selected samples of grain that are collected from Kerbala governorate. Also, annual effective dose and some radiological parameters due to gamma and alpha emitters to assess the health risk were calculated. Results have been shown that the average value of specific activities for 238U, 232Th and 40K were 6.61±0.91 Bq/kg, 3.07±0.22 Bq/kg and 227.59±32.34 Bq/kg respectively, while the average value of alpha emitters concentrations for 222Rn, 226Ra, and 238U were 3.99±1.13 Bq/m3, 4.69±1.28 mBq/kg and 0.072±0.019 Bq/kg respectively. The results of average total of annual effective dose associated with the exposure due to gamma and alpha emitted from ingestion grain samples in the present study were 0.139±0.013 mSv/y and 0.172±0.047 µSv/y, respectively. The results of natural Radionuclide and radiological parameter hazard based on gamma and alpha emitters from grain samples were discovered to be within the world acceptable levels. Finally, natural radioactivity from the grain samples that collected from Kerbala governorate were safety for the human consumption.

DETERMINATION OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDE AND ASSESSMENTS OF HEALTH HAZARDS IN CHICKEN FEEDS AND MEAT CONSUMED IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Poultry farming is a highly profitable and not capital intensive agricultural project. It is becoming one of the highest investments in agriculture in Nigeria. The proliferation of self -produced feeds by the Farmers with the addition of some minerals to stimulate growth could elevate the levels of radionuclides in feeds. This, therefore, calls for the determination of the health effects from the consumption of these chicken meats and organs. 10 samples of broilers and 30 feed samples (10 each of Starter, Grower, and Finisher feeds used in feeding the chicken) were used; collected from five selected poultry- farms in Lagos State, Nigeria, and analyzed using spectrometry analysis with NaI (Tl). The results obtained showed that concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 226Ra were 49.0±25.8, 24.9 ±12.2, and 32.9 ±16.2 Bqkg-1 respectively, in chicken meats. In the feeds, their values were below the UNSCEAR recommendation. The annual effective doses in chicken meats and organs were lower than the 70µSv/yr limit. The cancer risk was within the recommended limit, and the internal hazard indices were below unity. The mean values of the transfer coefficient (TC) were also below 1 for 40K, higher than unity for 226Ra in Finisher feeds, and 232Th in Starter feeds. The starter and finisher feeds were moderately contaminated. So, feeding chicken with these feeds may expose the consumers to the danger of over-exposure to 226Ra and 232Th.

Environmental and radiation assessment of construction materials in Tyumen

The current pace of construction leads to the use of large volumes of construction raw materials, which must meet the regulatory indicators, including radiation. High levels of natural radionuclide activity, both in construction and finishing materials, affect changes in the gamma radiation indicators in the premises, which can negatively affect the health of people living in such facilities. Ecological and radiation assessment of building materials for the content of natural radionuclides showed an increased natural activity of potassium-40. The maximum activity values were observed in samples of bricks and expanded clay, where they were 799,0 and 622,0 Bq/kg, respectively. The lowest specific activity of natural potassium was observed in the crushed stone sample (21,3 Bq/kg). The specific activity of thorium-232 in building materials ranged from 2,1 to 53,3 Bq/kg. The activity of radium-226 in all the studied samples ranged from 4,4 Bq/kg (crushed stone) to 55,6 Bq/kg (cement). The specific effective activity of natural radionuclides in the studied building materials does not exceed the standard values (370 Bq/kg), therefore, they can be used in all types of construction and reconstruction.