Radiological Risk Assessment of Primordial Radionuclides in Catfish Samples from Commercial Fish Ponds In Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Catfish, Contamination, Radiation dose, Gamma spectroscopic assembly, RadionuclidesAbstract
Fish is a primary protein source for most residents of Osogbo and Nigeria. This study verified the possibility of radioactive contamination in the study region due to catfish consumption. Using gamma spectroscopic assembly, the activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides Uranium-238 (U-238), Thorium-232 (Th-232) and Potassium-40 (K-40) were assessed in catfish. Thereafter, the committed effective dose resulting from catfish consumption was determined from the measured activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 for the residents of the research region. The projected yearly committed effective doses found in this investigation were less than the public's allowed limit of 1.0 mSv/y, according to the findings. This suggests there is no significant harm to the population's radiological health from the radiation dosage obtained from consuming the examined catfish samples. However, the long-term health risks, particularly from uranium and thorium, remain a concern due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to implement radionuclide monitoring programmes by regulatory bodies and to create public awareness regarding potential risks associated with consumption of fish with elevated radionuclide concentrations.
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