Measurement of radioactive contamination of plant fertilizers used in Palestine

Intensive agriculture requires extensive use of fertilizers as a supportive and fortifying source for the soil to increase its productivity. Among these fertilizers used are industrial fertilizers, which are an essential source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. With the increased use of such types of fertilizers, the percentage of environmental pollution with radioactive elements increases. The current study aims to estimate the level of radioactive contamination in selected samples of commonly used vegetable fertilizers by using CR-39 detectors. The analysis of radon and radium concentrations for different types of fertilizer samples is important, because of its effects on correcting the consumption of these products and reducing their side effects. The average values of radon and radium concentration in all collected samples vary from 119.0 to 570.4 Bq.m −3 and 13.5–72.1 Bq.kg −1 with a total average values of 270.6 Bq.m −3 and 31.9 Bq.kg −1 , respectively . To evaluate the radiological hazards, the annual effective dose and the exhalation rates in these samples were computed. The activity levels measured in this study form a baseline database that can be used as a point of reference for subsequent research to show the effects of upcoming occurrences.