IJLST 2018 Volume 11 Issue 3
International Journal of Life Sciences and Technology (IJLST) ISSN: 0974-5335
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Jannatul Ferdous, Munmun Nahar Nipa, & A.K.M. Rezaur Rahman. (2018). Assessment of Radionuclide Concentrations in Tea Samples Cultivated in Chittagong Region, Bangladesh. International Journal of Life Sciences and Technology (IJLST) ISSN: 0974-5335, 11(3), 20–30. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1625628

Title:
Assessment of Radionuclide Concentrations in Tea Samples Cultivated in Chittagong Region, Bangladesh
Authors & Affiliation:
Jannatul Ferdous1, Munmun Nahar Nipa2 and A.K.M. Rezaur Rahman3
1 Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
2 & 3 Department of Physics, University of Chittagong, BANGLADESH
ferdous28@yahoo.com, nipacu92@gmail.com, rezaur1970@yahoo.com
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study is to assess the activity concentration of radionuclides in tea samples which were cultivated in Chitttagong region in Bangladesh. Total thirteen (13) tea samples were collected from different tea garden of Fatickchari, Rangunia and Banshkhali upozilla in Chittagong. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in thirteen tea samples were measured, using a gamma spectrometry system with multichannel analyzer. The observed activity concentrations of 238U found in tea samples varied from 2.4 ± 0.4 Bq.kg-1 to 18.93 ± 1.72 Bq.kg-1 with mean concentration 5.34 ± 0.38 Bq.kg-1. The observed activity concentration of 232Th found in the tea sample varied 1.4 ± 0.56 Bq.kg-1 to 27.22 ± 3.65 Bq.kg-1 with mean concentration 10.07± 0.83 Bq.kg-1. The 40K activity in these tea samples varied from 151 ± 18.72 Bq.kg-1 to 1243 ± 83.91 Bq.kg-1 with mean concentration 430 ± 35.5 Bq.kg-1. No 137Cs activity was detected at any of the samples in the whole study area. The calculated values of Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and the internal hazard index (Hin) for the tea samples are lower than the international permissible value of unity UNSCEAR (2000). It was concluded that the activity level of tea samples in the present study was non-threatening to public health.
Key words: Tea sample, Activity concentration, Gamma Spectrometry system, Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and the internal hazard index (Hin).