Experimental investigation of uranium concentration, radium content and radon exhalation rates in food crops consumed in Babil governorate, Iraq

Background: This study focuses on the uranium concentration (UC), radium content (RC) and radon exhalation rates (RER) in selected food crops consumed in Babil governorate, in the centre of Iraq. Materials and Methods: Neutron activation technique and sealed cup with CR-39 alpha track detector were used respectively to investigate the natural radioactivity of selected food crops collected from Babil governorate, Iraq. Results: In the current study, the highest UC was found to be 0.0346 ppm in the turnip crop, whereas the lowest value of UC (0.0142 ppm) was found in grape crop. The highest RC was found to be 0.651 Bq/kg in turnip, while the lowest RC (0.169 Bq/kg) was found in the fig crop. The values of RER ranged from 0.016 Bq/m2.h found in the fig to 0.065 Bq/m2.h found in the turnip. Conclusion: The levels of UC in food crops were lower than 1.7 ppm, the recommended limits of UNSCEAR. A strong direct correlation was found between the UC and RC in selected food crops.