| Abstrakt: |
The aim of this study is to determine the natural radioactivity levels and evaluate the radiological hazard in vegetable samples collected from Kirkuk city by using gamma-ray spectrometer HPGe. The results show that the highest specific activity of 226Ra and 232Th in vegetables was (9.65, 7.9) Bq.kg–1 in Vg27 (Root/Garlic) while, the highest specific activity of 40K was (221.08 Bq.kg–1 in Vg37 (Leguminous/kidney bean), respectively. The results show that the average specific activities in vegetable samples for 226Ra and 232Th, and 40K was (6.119, 4.763 and 135.595) Bq.kg–1, respectively, these results were found to be below natural radiation exposure reported by UNSCEAR, radium equivalent activity (Raeq) were varied from maximum value (30.345 Bq.kg–1 in Vg15 (Leafy/coriander leaves)) to minimum value 13.002 Bq.kg–1 in Vg37 (Leguminous/kidney bean)) with average value 23.371 Bq.kg–1, the total average annual effective dose in vegetable samples for adults, children (10 years old) and infants are estimated to be (60.487, 128.090 and 170.431 μSvy–1), respectively, than those below the WHO permissible limit of 0.3 m μSvy–1. The calculated values of external and internal hazard index in the samples which were lower than the worldwide average value 1, respectively; therefore, these values are found to be safe. The level of radioactivity concentrations in vegetables was determined to ensure consumer safety and the results provide useful information to assess the dose emitted from this radioactivity due to ingestion of these vegetables. This study is very important to investigate the level of radioactivity of vegetables and the findings of this study will useful to determine a baseline of radioactivity exposure to the human from ingestion of vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
