MANJOLA SHYTI, LULJETA DISHA, ERJON SPAHIU
Abstract
In this paper, we assessed the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) from the consumption of cereal crop samples. Fifteen samples of cereal crops were collected from the local markets in Tirana city. Gamma-ray spectrometry method with HPGe detector was used for the measurements of natural (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclide activity concentrations. Results show in decreasing order the values of activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs. The range of annual effective dose, calculated based on the intake of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs in cereal crops, was found to vary from 6.49 to 67.01μSv y-1. This corresponds to an ELCR due to consumption of cereal crops varying from 2.3×10-5 to 23.5×10-5, with all values lower than the world average value of 29×10-5 for the public members. Therefore, cereal crops do not pose any serious radiological risk and can be considered safe for consumption.
Key words: Gamma-ray spectrometry, activity concentration, excess lifietime cancer risk, cereal crops.