The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 15 No 1 (2011): 61 – 69

 

 

 

A STUDY OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDE ACTIVITIES AND RADIATION HAZARD INDEX IN SOME GRAINS CONSUMED IN JORDAN

 

A.A. Tawalbeh^1*, K.M. Abumurad² , S.B. Samat¹, M.S. Yasir¹

 

¹School of Applied Physics,

Faculty of Science and Technology,

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

²Department of Physics,

Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

 

*Corresponding author: flower77alaa@yahoo.com

 

 

Abstract

Forty samples of different types of imported and locally produced grains consumed in Jordan were analyzed using gamma-ray spectroscopy system with a high Purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The concentrations of the natural radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K present in the studied samples were measured, and the radium equivalent activities Ra_eq, were calculated. In addition to that, the hazard index HI, was calculated. The average concentrations of  ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K  were in the range of (2.0 ± 0.5) ×10^-3 , (7.0 ± 2) ×10^-3 and 49.93 ± 1.69 ppm, respectively. The values of Ra_eq ranged between 17.70 – 245.64 Bq/kg. The HI were ranged between 0.05 – 0.66, which is less than one (the higher limit of HI). The obtained results were compared with the standard accepted international values, and found to be within the acceptable limits.

 

Keywords: ²³⁸U,  ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K , NORM, Grains, Activity concentration, Radium equivalent ,   Hazard index

 

References

1.       Turner, J.E., 1995. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd ed., John Wiley &Sons.

2.       FAO, 1999. The Impact Population Growth and  Urbanization on Food Consumption Patterns in Jordan. United Nation. New York. 

3.       Jibiri, N. N. and Ajao, A.O., 2005. Natural Activities of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in Elephant Grass in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Journal of environmental Radioactivity.78, pp. 105- 111.

4.       Zaiadi J. H., Arif M., Ahmad S., Fatima  I.,and Qureshi I. H., 1999. Radiation Protection Dosimetry Vo.51 pp.559-564.

5.       Samat,S.B., Green, S. and Beddoe, A.H., 1997, The ⁴⁰K Activity of One Gram of Potassium, Phys. Med. Biol. Vo 42, pp.407-413.

6.       Frame, P., 2006. Radium Equivalent Health Physics   Society : http//hps.org/.

7.       Yasir, M.S., Ab Majid A., Yahaya,R., 2007. Study ofNatural Radionuclides and its Radiation Hazard Index in Malaysia Building Materials. Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry273, No.3 pp.539-541.                   

8.       Tufail, M Radioprotection. Iqbal, M., and Mirza, S.M., 2000. Radiation Doses Due to the Natural Radioactivity in Pakistan Marble. Vo 35, No.3 pp. 299-310.

9.       UNSCEAR, 2000. Sources and Effects of Ionizing radiation. Report to General Assembly,With Scientific Annexes,  United Nation, New York