Radioactivity levels in plant samples in Tulkarem district, Palestine and its impact on human health.
The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials such as (226)Ra, (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs were measured for 44 plant samples collected from different locations in the northwestern region of the West Bank, Palestine, using high-resolution gamma ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations of radionuclides in the investigated plant samples ranged from 7.5 to 157.6 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, 7.5 to 66.1 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, 1.8 to 48.5 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th, 14.3 to 1622 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K and <0.1 to 4.7 Bq kg(-1) for (137)Cs. The average values of these activities were 48.3, 26.5, 10.1, 288.0 and 2.2 Bq kg(-1), for (226)Ra, (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs, respectively. The study presents the total gamma radiation dose rate assessed from natural radionuclides,(137)Cs and cosmic radiation, the dose rate of each radionuclide and the effective dose for all the samples. The radiological health implication to the population that may result from these doses is found to be low, except in few cases. The measurements have been taken as representing a baseline database of values of these radionuclides in the plants in the area.
Faculty of Science and Technology, Hebron University, PO Box 40, Hebron, Palestine. drkaleelt@yahoo.com
Kaleel M
KM
Thabayneh
Mohannad M
MM
Jazzar
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010944:Plants / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000379:methods; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis*; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D011883:Radium