Norm in cultivated honey in Malaysia and concomitant effective dose to consumers

Present study concerns the radiological character of Malaysian honey. A total of 18 samples (representative of the various most common types) were obtained from various honey bee farms throughout the country. Using a high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectroscopic system, the samples were analysed for the naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K. The respective range of activities (in Bq/kg) was: 3.49 +/- 0.35 to 4.51 +/- 0.39, 0.99 +/- 0.37 to 1.74 +/- 0.39 and 41.37 +/- 3.26 to 105.02 +/- 6.91. The estimated associated committed effective doses were derived from prevailing data on national consumption of honey, the annual dose being found low compared with the UNSCEAR reference dose limit of 290 mu Sv y-1. The estimated threshold consumption rate for honey indicates a maximum intake of 339 g/d, which poses an insignificant radiological risk to public health; however, the total dietary exposure may not, the guidance level of 290 mu Sv y-1 being applicable to dietary intake of all foodstuffs. The study is in support of the cultivation of a healthy lifestyle, acknowledging prevailing radioactivity within the environment.

Automated summary

This study analyzes the radiological activity of Malaysian honey samples and finds that the associated radiation risk to public health is insignificant. However, the overall dietary exposure may exceed the guidance level, which requires attention.