ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN POTATO AND THE HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH ITS CONSUMPTION IN ENUGU, NIGERIA

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F. O. Ugbede
A. F. Akpolile

Abstract

The determination of the specific activity of radioactivity in food stuffs is an important tool in the evaluation of human internal radiation exposure through ingestion. In this regard, the activity of natural radionuclides 40K, 238U and 232Th in potato samples from different markets in Enugu town were determined by means of gamma spectrometry using NaI(TI) detector. The activity concentrations of 40K ranged from 327.65±17.49 – 725.30±38.66 Bq.kg–1 with mean value 526.39±135.98 Bq.kg–1, those of 238U ranged from BDL – 13.94±1.73 Bq.kg–1 with mean of 8.55±4.67 Bq.kg–1 and those of 232Th ranged from BDL – 3.38±0.20 Bq.kg–1 with mean value of 1.14±1.11 Bq.kg–1. The average daily intake of 40K, 238U and 232Th were found to be 20.70, 0.34 and 0.04 Bq.d–1 respectively. The mean annual effective doses to age groups 2–7 yr, 7–12 yr, 12–17 yr and >17 yr were estimated to be 0.240, 0.201, 0.246 and 0.085 mSv.y–1 respectively. These values indicate that individuals within the age group 12–17 yr in Enugu are at higher radiation risk from potato consumption.

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How to Cite
Ugbede, F. O., & Akpolile, A. F. (2022). ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN POTATO AND THE HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH ITS CONSUMPTION IN ENUGU, NIGERIA. NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT, 18(1). Retrieved from https://delsunjse.com/index.php/njse/article/view/58
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