Assessment of radiation doses due to the 238U and 232Th series received by women and girls during the application of different skin care creams

Abstract

Women use creams to firm their bodies and combat skin ageing. In order to study the exposure of ${}^{238}U$, ${}^{232}Th$ and their progeny to human skin using skin care creams we quantified the levels of these radionuclides using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear trace detectors. The annual equivalent doses to the skin from these radionuclides resulting from the application of skin care creams by young girls and women were assessed. The maximum total annual equivalent dose to the skin from the ${}^{238}U$ and ${}^{232}Th$ series resulting from the application of these creams was found to be equal to $0.14\mu Sv.y^{-1}.{cm}^{-2}$. The impact of pollution on the radiation dose received by women employed in the manufacture of building materials and phosphate fertilisers was examined. The results showed that the maximum total annual equivalent dose due to α-emitting radionuclides of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th chains was $7\mu Sv{y}^{-1}{cm}^{-2}$.