Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Risk in Cow’s Milk Consumed in Iraq

Animal public health problems have spread increasing concern in the radiological safety of milk products. The level of occurring radionuclides—Radium-226 (Ra^226), Thorium-232 (Th^232), and Potassium-40 (K^40)—in cow's milk samples collected from 18 provinces in Iraq and the corresponding radiological health risk are examined herein. Radioactivity levels were quantified in units of Bq/L, from which the significant hazard indicators like radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and hazard indices (Hex, Hin, Iγ) were determined.Results revealed significant spatial variation in radionuclide concentrations, where K^40 exhibited the maximum values for all samples. Basrah registered the highest values for Ra^226, Th^232, and K^40 and also reported the maximum Raeq (8.17 Bq/L), D (4.16 nGy/h), AEDE (5.11 µSv/y), and ELCR (17.87 ×10⁻³). All the calculated radiological parameters were observed less than international safety standards, though Basrah, Babylon, and Al-Samawah still displayed higher values.Overall, Stacked radiological indicator visualization and ELCR validation witnessed a clear segregation of increased exposure in southern regions. Despite adequate safety margins, aggregated risk illustrated by ELCR and hazard indices demonstrate the need for ongoing monitoring, especially in those regions at greater risk. The importance of this research lies in obligating factory and farm owners to monitor these products periodically and to adhere to the permissible limits according to national and international standards in a way that guarantees the safety of the product.