Radiological risk from natural radioactivity in cereal-based foods: age-specific assessment in Turkish consumers
摘要
This study evaluates the radiological health risks associated with naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in 10 breakfast cereal and 15 biscuit samples commonly consumed in Turkey. Activity concentrations were measured using a NaI(Tl) γ-ray spectrometer and ranged from 8.3 to 18.9, 4.1–16.4 and 49.1–125 Bq kg−1, respectively. Estimated mean annual ingestion doses were 143 µSv y−1 (children) and 130 µSv y−1 (adults) from cereals, and 140 µSv y−1 (children) and 127 µSv y−1 (adults) from biscuits, all below the ICRP 1 mSv y−1 limit. Average ELCR values were 1.8 × 10−4 (children) and 3.4 × 10−4 (adults) for cereals, and 1.0 × 10−4 (children) and 3.3 × 10−4 (adults) for biscuits, aligning with UNSCEAR estimates. Although risks are low, regular surveillance of food radioactivity remains important.