The impact of natural radioactivity in animal products of ruminants on the annual effective dose of population

Abstract

Activity concentration of 238U, 226Ra and 40K were analyzed in samples of milk, meat, cow cheese and sheep cheese from the areas of three municipalities: Livno, Kakanj and Hadžići for the purpose of assessment of ´ the annual effective dose by ingestion of animal products of ruminants. Burned samples of milk and meat from cow and sheep were measured by modified gamma spectrometry method. High resolution HPGe detector with additional electronic equipment had been used for that purpose. All results were calculated on the fresh weight basis. Obtained results for samples of cow milk were in ranges: 0.010–0.020 -1 for 238U; 0.014–0.060 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra and 37.2–67.5 Bq kg-1 for 40K. Sheep milk showed the following ranges of obtained results: 0.007–0.033 Bq kg-1 for 238U; 0.010–0.045 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra and 30.7–73.3 Bq kg-1 for 40K. Levels of observed radionuclides (238U, 226Ra and 40K) in samples of cow cheese were moving between 0.010–0.070, 0.01–0.10, and 27.3–58.9 Bq kg-1. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra and 40K in samples of cow meat were: 0.010–0.023 Bq kg-1; 0.018–0.060 Bq kg-1 and 66.2–96.9 Bq kg-1, respectively. Levels of 238U, 226Ra and 40K in samples of sheep meat were: 0.010–0.024 Bq kg-1; 0.014–0.035 Bq kg-1 and 65.2-99.5 Bq kg-1, respectively. Calculated annual effective doses by ingestion of observed samples were in range 0.055–0.064 mSv. Obtained results indicated acceptable levels of investigated natural radionuclides as well as correct radiationhygienic status of animal products of ruminants from selected municipalities. Estimated annual effective doses for ingestion of animal products of ruminants were in the range of world average values.