Gamma Spectroscopic Measurements of Some Imported Foodstuffs in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Radiation Protection Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

2 Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

Abstract

All imported foodstuff coming into Egypt is analyzed for radioactivity level through Radiation Detection Project. In this 
research, a study of long-lived gamma emitting radionuclides was performed in some imported foodstuffs and feed 
additives especially those imported from different countries that affected by nuclear accidents as Russia and Japan 
(Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents).The samples are fish, soya bean, wheat, yellow corn, lentils, dry peas, yellow 
butter and feed additives. These samples have been tested by gamma spectrometry method using HPGe detector. The 
specific activity and the annual effective dose of U-238, Th-232, K-40, Cs-137 and Cs-134 in all samples were 
determined. It was found that the specific activity varied from 0.293 Bq/kg to 6.971 Bq/kg (average of 1.875 Bq/kg) for 
U-238, from 0.158 Bq/kg to 10.395 Bq/kg (average of 2.73 Bq/kg) for Th-232, from 11.6 Bq/kg to 660.66 Bq/kg 
(average of 168.7 Bq/kg) for K-40, from 0.225 Bq/kg to 4.26 Bq/kg (average of 0.797 Bq/kg) for Cs-137 and from 0.345
Bq/kg to 1.25 Bq/kg for Cs-134 in food samples. Relative to feed additives the radionuclide Ra-226, U-235, Pa-234m, 
Th-234, Pb-214, Pb-212 and K-40 were found with different wide range. Also the annual effective dose due to ingestion 
was calculated. The results were compared with international recommended values and were found to be below the 
Maximum Permissible Limits.

Keywords

Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences
Volume 3, Issue 4
October 2016
Pages 133-139

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics