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Evaluation of Natural Radionuclides in Samples of Plant Fertilizers Used in Iraq and Radiation Hazard Indicators

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Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions A: Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the specific activity was identified in 12 fertilizer samples using a gamma spectroscopy, and the results showed that the average specific activity of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40 K) was 36.24 ± 0.767 Bq/kg, 55.40 ± 0.973 Bq/kg, and 202.87 ± 5.062 Bq/kg, respectively, where the average specific activity of 226Ra and 232Th exceeded the globally recommended limits, while the average specific activity of 40 K was within the internationally recommended limits by UNSCEAR. The radium equivalent Raeq, absorbed dose rate in air \({D}_{\gamma }\), annual effective dose equivalent for indoor and outdoor exposure (AEDEindoor and AEDEoutdoor), excess lifetime cancer risk ELCR, internal and external hazard indicators (Hin and Hex) and gamma representative level index were calculated. The results of most samples were within the global average recommended by UNSCEAR, so it is safe to consume and does not pose a threat to the general public.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

    Laith A. Najam

  2. Department of Renewable Energies, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

    Rana Hesham Mahmmod

  3. Ministry of Industry and Minerals Al Remah Factory, Mosul, Iraq

    Osama Mohammed Juber Albanna

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  1. Laith A. Najam
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  2. Rana Hesham Mahmmod
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  3. Osama Mohammed Juber Albanna
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All the authors have contributed equally to the work.

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Correspondence to Laith A. Najam.

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Najam, L.A., Mahmmod, R.H. & Albanna, O.M.J. Evaluation of Natural Radionuclides in Samples of Plant Fertilizers Used in Iraq and Radiation Hazard Indicators. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci 46, 979–987 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-022-01306-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-022-01306-5

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