Natural Radioactivity Measurements in Vegetables at Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq and Evaluation of Radiological hazard

Abstract

The effective technique of γ-spectroscopy using high purity germanium detector (HPGe) has been applied to determine the specific activity of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in essential vegetable samples collected from farms of Al-Diwaniyah governorate in the south of Iraq. The specific activity of natural radionuclides was measured in Tomato, Cucumber, Okra, Potato, Radish, Turnip, Spinach, Lettuce, Cauliflower and Onion. The results show that the highest specific activity of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in potato product was (11.46, 9.12 and 120.54) Bq/kg, respectively. The average value of specific activity of radium, thorium and potassium in vegetable samples was (7.67, 5.75 and 98.39) Bq/kg, respectively. The results of the radiological hazards were compared with the published data and they were found to be within the safety levels.