Evaluation of 226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K “Agaricus Bisporus” Activity in Cultivated Edible Mushroom formed in Tehran Province- Iran

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Technology of Radiology and Radiotherapy Department Allied Medical Sciences School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Science and Research Campus, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Physics and Institute of Basic Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Natural and man made radioactive sources exist in our environment they can enter into our food chains. One of these is the soil-mushroom-human chain. High level doses of natural radiation can cause hazards to humans.
Materials and Methods
Samples of Agaricus bisporus cultivated edible mushroom in Tehran province- Iran were collected from 7 farms. Specific activity of 226Ra, 228Ra, 137Cs, 40K and 235U of the samples were measured by two HPGe detectors.
Results
Specific activity of 226Ra, 228Ra, 137Cs and 40K in the edible mushroom samples were equal to 0.06 ± 0.03 - 0.7 ± 0.2 Bq kg-1 dry, 1.4 ± 0.7 Bq kg-1 dry, 0.1 ± 0.03- 0.3 ± 0.1 Bq kg-1dry and 920 ± 400 - 1370 ± 900 Bq kg-1dry , respectively.
Conclusion
As the measured concentrations of the radionuclides of interest are close or lower than MDA (Minimum Detectable Activity). Consumption of the mushrooms would impose no health consequences to the consumers.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 9, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
November and December 2012
Pages 239-244

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 April 2012
  • Revise Date: 16 March 2013
  • Accept Date: 08 November 2012

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