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238U and 232Th concentrations in various foodstuffs in Morocco and resulting radiation doses to the members of the public

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2008

M. A. Misdaq ,
H. Elamyn  and
H. Erramli
M. A. Misdaq
Affiliation:
Nuclear Physics and Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, B.P. 2390, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco.
H. Elamyn
Affiliation:
Nuclear Physics and Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, B.P. 2390, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco.
H. Erramli
Affiliation:
Nuclear Physics and Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, B.P. 2390, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco.
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Abstract

Uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) concentrations were measured in different foods widely consumed in Morocco by using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). Data obtained were compared to those obtained by using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Total daily intakes of 238U and 232Th for a typical food basket were estimated to be 1.3 ± 0.1 mBq d-1 and 0.98 ± 0.08 mBq d-1, 1.4 ± 0.1 mBq d-1 and 1.06 ± 0.08 mBq d–1, 1.7 ± 0.1 mBq d–1 and 1.26 ± 0.08 mBq d–1 and 2.0 ± 0.1 mBq d–1 and 1.5 ± 0.1 Bq d–1 for the 2–7 years, 7–12 years, 12–17 years and adult’s age groups, respectively. Alpha-activities due to annual 238U and 232Th intakes from the ingestion of the studied foodstuffs were determined in different organs and tissues of the human body of members of the public by using the ICRP gastrointestinal tract and systemic part models for these radionuclides. Committed equivalent doses due to annual intakes of 238U and 232Th were evaluated in the human body organs and tissues for different age groups of the Moroccan population by exploiting data obtained for alpha-doses deposited by 1 Bq of 238U and 1 Bq of 232Th in the considered human organs and tissues. The influence of the mass of the target tissue and activities due to 238U and 232Th on the committed equivalent doses due to annual intakes of these radionuclides in the organs and tissues of the human body was studied.

Keywords

Nuclear-track detectoringestion238U and 232Th intakesequivalent doseuraniumthoriumenvironmentnatural radioactivity
Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 225 - 237
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2008

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