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210Po and 210Pb radioactivity levels in local and imported tobacco used in Palestine and Jordan

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in various tobacco samples from Palestine and Jordan. Cigarette smoking is recognized as a significant contributor to the radiation dose received by individuals, primarily due to the elevated levels of 210Pb and 210Po found in tobacco. The analysis revealed that the average concentrations of 210Po in locally sourced tobacco and cigarette samples in Palestine are 16.8 ± 2.3 mBq/g and 18.5 ± 2.0 mBq/g, with a total average of 17.8 ± 7.4 mBq/g (15.5 mBq/cigarette). Similarly, the average concentrations of 210Pb in these samples are 18.5 ± 2.6 mBq/g and 20.3 ± 2.2 mBq/g, with a total average of 19.6 ± 8.1 mBq/g (17.0 mBq/cigarette). In Jordan, the average concentrations of 210Po in cigarette samples and narghile tobacco are 20.1 ± 2.4 mBq/g and 18.3 ± 4.1 mBq/g, with a total average value of 19.6 ± 9.9 mBq/g (18.0 mBq/cigarette), while the average concentrations of 210Pb are 22.2 ± 2.6 mBq/g and 20.2 ± 4.5 mBq/g, with a total average value of 21.6 ± 10.8 mBq/g (19.9 mBq/cigarette). The annual effective doses resulting from inhalation were calculated for smokers of these samples. The findings revealed that the levels of 210Po and 210Pb radioactivity in certain investigated samples exceeded the results of studies in many countries of the world. The associated effective doses per year from smoking for all brands products in Palestine range from 34.7 μSv/y to 186.5 μSv/y with an average of 109.5 μSv/y, while in Jordan 54.5 μSv/y to 289.1 μSv/y with an average of 130.9 μSv/y.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the working staff in the chemistry lab at Hebron University who helped to prepare the samples and interpret the results

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There is no funding for this project from any government or private agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biophysics, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine

    Lilia A. Mashal & Fida M. Buss

  2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine

    Khalil M. Thabayneh

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  1. Lilia A. Mashal
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  2. Fida M. Buss
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  3. Khalil M. Thabayneh
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All authors distributed, collected, and read the dosimeters and analyzed and all authors wrote the text, reviewed, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Khalil M. Thabayneh.

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Mashal, L.A., Buss, F.M. & Thabayneh, K.M. 210Po and 210Pb radioactivity levels in local and imported tobacco used in Palestine and Jordan. Radiat Environ Biophys 63, 133–141 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-024-01062-7

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