Determination of radioactivity and elemental analysis of triticale wheat in Wolela Bahir (dera kefoye) district

Abstract

Natural radionuclides are found in terrestrial and aquatic food chains, with subsequent transfer to humans through ingestion of food. Consuming the cereals contaminated with heavy metals has different detrimental effects on human health. Therefore, monitoring contamination of heavy metals will allow for avoiding unnecessary exposure. The research was conducted with the aim of examining the presence of toxic elements (Pb, and Cd) and essential elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Si and Mn) in selected sample of wheat flour and determines the radioactivity concentration with associated health risks in wolela Bahir district. The gamma spectrometry method with a high purity germanium (HpGe) detector has been used for radiometric measurements. 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs specific activity in (Bq/kg) were measured of wheat flour that is available in Wolela Bahir village. Also in this study we have calculated the radiation hazard indices (radium equivalent activity and internal hazard index) and Ingestion effective dose in wheat sample. The levels of metals in wheat flour collected from Wolela Bahir (Ethiopia) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (major metals) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (trace and heavy metals) after wet digestion. In wheat sample, the average activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs were found to be <ND, 133.24 and <ND Bq/kg (dry weight), respectively. H ex and H in the present work are lower than 1. The average value of H ex was found to be 0.028 and average value of H in to be found 0.028 in wheat sample in Wolela Bahir village Gondar, Ethiopia. The concentration of the metals determined (mg/kg dry weight) were, Cr 0.0218±0.2 Mn 0.70±0.027, Ni 2.50±0.3 Cu 0.077±0.01 Zn 0.56±0.02 Pb 0.051±0.06 Cd ND respectively. The specific activity concentrations of this radionuclide in the sample were lower than as reported by UNSCEAR. Also radium equivalent activity and internal hazard indexes values obtained when compared with the world permissible values were found to be below the standard limit which due to be radiological hazard safe