IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Arunima S; P J Jojo

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2017

Assessment of ingestion dose through staple food to the populace in the placer deposits region of west coast India

Arunima S, P J Jojo

Abstract :

High natural background radiation due to the presence of radiogenic heavy minerals in the beach placer deposits along the south–west coast of India is well known. The present study reports the results of radiometric analysis of most common and habitual food items consumed by the populace in the region. Cereals, pulses, grains, tubers, vegetables, tea powder, coffee powder, marine food samples and full meals of 156 samples, collected from the high background radiation areas of Kerala were studied. 238U was found to be below detectable level (4.7 Bqkg–1) in all food stuff while 232Th showed a narrow band of 15 Bqkg–1 and 35 Bqkg–1. The levels of 40K in the samples were found to vary in a wide range from 60Bqkg–1 to 859Bqkg–1. The ingestion dose estimates show that whole meal twice daily would ingest 1.08±0.2 mSv/y. The estimate from various major food items amounts to 1.34± 0.37 mSv/y