Gamma-spectrometric analysis and dose assessment of radionuclides in Egyptian food items

Abstract This study assessed the activity concentrations of potassium-40 ( 40 K), cesium-137 ( 137 Cs), lead-210 ( 210 Pb), radium-226 ( 226 Ra), and thorium-232 ( 232 Th) in commonly consumed Egyptian foodstuffs using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry and evaluated the associated radiological doses. 40 K exhibited the highest average concentrations, ranging from 274 ± 14 to 991 ± 50 Bq/kg, while 137 Cs, 210 Pb, 226 Ra, and 232 Th were predominantly below detection limits. Using Radiological Toolbox software, the annual effective dose (AED) for adults was estimated at 84.77 µSv/y, which is well below the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) recommended dose limit from food intake (290 µSv/y). The dose assessment revealed that the bone surface receives the highest committed equivalent dose of 1185.40 µSv/y, while the skin exhibited the lowest dose at 45.19 µSv/y. The calculated excess lifetime cancer risk of 4.66 × 10 −6 falls within the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acceptable benchmark range of 10 −6 –10 −4 . Given that the samples were sourced from local markets in Qena Governorate, southern Egypt, this study establishes a regional baseline for dietary radiological exposure. The findings indicate that consumption of these food items poses no significant radiation risk, providing essential reference data for ongoing food safety monitoring and public radiation protection initiatives.