LONG-LIVED GAMMA EMITTING RADIONUCLIDES IN PALM DATES AND ESTIMATES OF ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSES

An investigation of long-lived gamma emitting radionuclides in palm dates was performed. The palm date samples originated from eight countries, namely India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Among the samples were the palm date types Sukari, Wanana, Umkhuber, Rashudiya, Libana, Madjool, Gumaizi, Anbar, Braim, Ajwa, Khadri, Munafee, Mabroom, Daglanoor, Sulag, and Khalas. Gamma spectrometry revealed activity concentrations of (AVG +/- STD) 0.983 +/- 0.457, 0.469 +/- 0.229, and 287.078 +/- 41.871 Bq kg(-1) dry weight for Ra-226, Ra-228, and K-40, respectively. Annual average effective dose was estimated to be 32 mu Sv from the consumption of palm dates. Comparing these findings with values reported in the literature, it was concluded that consumption of palm dates is safe for the presence of the investigated radionuclides.