Estimation of radiological health risks due to 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in foods consumed in Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Abstract

This study investigates the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in a diverse range of food samples in the Koya district markets food baskets, including both domestic and imported products. The samples cover annual crops (e.g. coffee, tea, kidney beans), tree nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachios), and other items (e.g. beef, fish, milk) by using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. This research addresses a notable gap by providing baseline data on radionuclide concentrations and assessing potential health risks. Average activity concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 0.943, 0.367, and 191.8 Bq kg^-1, respectively. Radium equivalent activity values ranged from 2.88-58.48 Bq kg^-1, all below the safety limit. The average excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was 0.154 mSv a^-1, indicating safety for most samples, though coffee and tea showed higher levels. This study provides new data crucial for future research and regulatory monitoring, underscoring the need for further investigation into geological impacts on radionuclide levels.