Radiological and chemical hazards of persistent organic pollutants in the textile sector

The textile industry exposes people to various harmful and allergenic compounds, with dye wastewater being a significant source of persistent organic pollutants (chemical substances accumulate in living organisms and pose risks to human health and ecosystems) in the environment. This study aimed to measure the activity concentrations of radionuclides, specifically ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, in different types of textile dyes (disperse, direct, and reactive) and dye wastewater from the cities of Abour and Badr, using gamma spectrometry with a Hyper Pure Germanium detector. Additionally, heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cd, Fe, Pb, Co, and K) were analyzed through Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results indicated that the average specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were higher in disperse dyes compared to direct and reactive dyes. Potential radiation hazards were evaluated, revealing detectable levels of radioactivity in some textile dyes. This underscores the need for safety protocols and preventive measures for workers in the textile industry and those handling these dyes.