Radiological Assessment of Natural Radionuclides in Commercial Liquid Soap Products From Iraqi Kurdistan Using NaI(Tl) Gamma Spectrometry

Abstract Cleaning products constitute ubiquitous commodities in contemporary domestic applications, manufactured from diverse complex chemical compositions that may potentially contain radioactive constituents. Consequently, this investigation aims to quantify specific activities within 24 soap samples procured from Iraqi Kurdistan, representing products extensively utilized by the local population for hygiene purposes. Specific activities were determined employing sodium iodide scintillation detection methodology utilizing NaI(Tl) detectors. The measured specific activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 11.0 to 33.4, 4.2 to 27.4, and 71.0 to 678.4 Bq kg−1, with corresponding mean values of 21.5, 14.1, and 394.4 Bq kg−1, respectively. Multiple samples demonstrated elevated 40K concentrations, attributed to the inherent occurrence of potassium isotopes within soap manufacturing constituents. These findings suggest that specific examined products may pose potential health risks to consumers, recommending that individuals exercise caution when selecting soap products with elevated 40K concentrations to mitigate radiological exposure hazards. The natural radioactivity levels within soap specimens were assessed through established radiological parameters including radium equivalent (Req), air absorbed dose rate (D˙), internal hazard index (Hin), external hazard index (Hex), annual effective dose (AED), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted on radionuclide concentrations and associated radiological hazard parameters. All calculated radiological hazard indices remained below international threshold values. Multivariate statistical approaches, specifically Pearson's correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), were utilized to evaluate relationships among variables and identify underlying patterns within the dataset. The generated dataset provides valuable baseline information for environmental radiation monitoring protocols, specifically regarding soap products, and contributes to the assessment of radiation exposure implications for human health protection.