Assessment of committed effective dose due to the ingestion of 210Po and 210Pb in consumed Lebanese fish affected by a phosphate fertilizer plant

Ingestion of radionuclides through seafood intake is a one of the sources contributing to the internal effective dose in the human organism. In order to evaluate the internal exposure and potential risks due to Po-210 and Pb-210 associated with fish consumption, these radionuclides were measured in commonly consumed fish species from a clean area and an area subjected to the impact of a Lebanese phosphate fertilizer plant. The highest concentration of Pb-210 was 98.7 Bq/kg fresh weight while Po-210 activity concentrations varied from 3.6 Bq/kg to 140 Bq/kg. A supplementary radiation exposure was detected; the highest committed effective dose due to Po-210 and Pb-210 was found to be 1110 mu Sv/y and 450 mu Sv/y, respectively. Moreover, the average mortality and morbidity risks due to the fish consuming were estimated. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.