Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in Some Selected Baby Food in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Baby powdered milk is a nutritious source of food for infants and children. Most working-class nursing mothers usually substitute breast  milk for it when they are not available to take care of their kids. The contagious of chronic disease among infants has caused careful  thought among the researchers. Food contamination through radioactivity causes severe health threat for infants because of their weak  immune system. Radioactivity concentrated foods are very dangerous as they increase cumulative risks of developing cancer and other  related diseases. Therefore, the assessment of radioactivity levels of 40K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th in baby food and their associated doses are of  crucial importance for health safety. This study focused on the radiation contamination of baby food and its implications on the infants health and safety. Four samples of baby powdered milk were investigated using gamma ray spectrometer. The results indicated that the concentrations of 40K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th ranged from 212.6 Bq/kg to 354.3 Bq/Kg, from 37.6 Bq/Kg to 129.3 Bq/Kg and from 83.2 Bq/Kg to  223.9 Bq/Kg, respectively. Although the level of radioactivity is relatively low in all the food samples and they are within the  internationally acceptable values, this study revealed that ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra are the most significant contributor to radiation exposure in  baby food in Southwest Nigeria. Hence, baby powdered milk manufacturers should ensure reduction in the levels of these radionuclides,  and regulatory bodies should prioritize monitoring levels of ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra in baby food to minimize health risks.